Áron Szilágyi was nominated by President Katalin Novák, who said that the Hungarian fencer is a role model for children and adults alike.Continue reading
Áron Szilágyi won the bronze medal in the men’s individual fencing at the Olympic Qualification World Championships in Milan.
The grandstand at the MiCo Conference and Events Center’s fencing venue was packed with more than two thousand spectators watching the spectacular semi-final and final program.
The three-time Olympic gold medalist and last year’s world champion Hungarian fencer faced Eli Dershwitz in the semi-finals.
In the beginning, Áron Szilágyi was quicker than his opponent, with spectacular and clear-cut kills to take a 10-4 lead. However, the American fencer gradually caught up, and Szilágyi – who had not given his opponent a chance earlier in the day – could not fight back, at least not successfully.
Dershwitz equalized at 13-13 and than scored the last two hits.
Eli Dershwitz and Áron Szilágyi. Photo via MTI/Illyés Tibor
“My mind went blank (…) my opponent came much more aggressively, I couldn’t react” – analyzed Szilágyi about his semi-final. “My confidence was gone when he caught me. It was not good to live through that, because I thought I had this weapon in my hand.”
The Hungarian world champion noted that it is difficult to handle such a situation, however,
he acknowledged his opponent’s performance, as he said, “he made a good change, drew some surprises, didn’t give up, just fought and fought.”
Szilágyi had previously won a World Championships bronze medal in Budapest in 2013, and he also finished third at this year’s European Games in June.
Photo via MTI/Illyés Tibor
The World Championships are the most important competition of the Olympic qualification period, and the result achieved there and the points awarded will definitely be included in the overall standings.
Via MTI, Featured photo via MTI/Illyés Tibor