Monday, October 30th.- With three Chileans and an Olympic gold medalist qualifying for the round of sixteen in male's individual épée fencing, the Fencing competition of Santiago 2023 began at the Centro de Deportes Paralímpicos at the Estadio Nacional. 

First, the group stage was played, where local fencers Pablo Núñez, Joaquín Bustos, and Jorge Valderrama, along with Venezuelan Rubén Darío Limardo, the Olympic champion from London 2012, secured a spot among the top 16 in the competition. 

Limardo finished third in Group B with three wins and two losses. In the same group, Chilean Jorge Valderrama finished last with one win and four losses but still secured a spot in the direct elimination round. 

In Group A, Bustos finished sixth with three wins and three losses, while in Group C, Núñez excelled, finishing first with four wins and only one loss. 

There will be a Chilean showdown in the round of sixteen, as Núñez will face Valderrama. Bustos will compete against the American Curtis McDonald, and Limardo will face the Cuban Yordan Ferrer. 

The finals for male's individual épée fencing will take place this afternoon, along with the female's foil event. Both disciplines will then award the first fencing medals. 

Written by Patricio Cabello y Alejandro Pérez; translated by Pía Barriga / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport 
Ph: Felipe Quintana / Santiago 2023 vía Photosport