Tuesday, October 31th, 2023.- American fencers Nick Itkin and Miles Chamley, who won bronze medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, respectively, have reached the semifinals of the Pan American fencing competition in the male's individual foil discipline, guaranteeing themselves at least a bronze medal. However, if things go as expected, they could face each other in the final for the gold and silver.

Both Americans won all five of their matches in the group stage and then successfully navigated through their round of 16 and quarterfinal bouts. Now, for a spot in the decisive match, Itkin will face Argentina's Agustín Servello, while Chamley will take on Brazil's Guilherme Amaral Toldo. Toldo has also won all seven of his matches on the day, making him a formidable opponent.

In the competition, two Chilean fencers participated, but neither of them reached the medal contention. Cousins Gustavo and Leopoldo Alarcon made it through the group stage, but they faced each other in the round of 16, with Leopoldo emerging as the victor. However, Leopoldo was defeated by Argentina's Servello in the quarterfinals.

In the female's individual sabre, there won't be any Chilean representation either. The closest was Yolanda Muñoz, who lost in the quarterfinals to Mexico's Julieta Toledo.

The semifinals will feature Toledo against American fencer Maia Chamberlain and Magda Skarbonkiewicz, also from the United States, against Cuba's Leidis Veranes.

Written by Paula Vivanco; translated by Josefina Zamorano / Photosport.
Photo by Cristian Soto/Santiago 2023 / Photosport