Semifinal bout of the Second fencing event of the 2022 to 2023 Season - 2022 Tokyo Men's Foil Fencing Team World Cup - Between Italy and Japan.
On the Left - Japan
Since Russia has been banned from competing, Japan has been making the semifinals of events more often - most often losing both bouts to come forth. Since the end of the previous season, Reigning Junior World Champion and 2022 Senior Belgrade Grand Prix Bronze Medalist, IIMURA Kazuki has replaced SAITO Toshiya for most team events. SUZUMURA Kenta is also now in the top 4 again. Italy came fourth at the previous competition - Bonn World Cup
On the Right - Italy
Italy is the reigning 2022 World Champion as well as 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018 World Champions. As of the previous season, Stefano Cerioni returned to be the head coach of Team Italy. Italy won Silver at the previous competition - Bonn World Cup
Previous Match-ups:
The only time where Japan beat Italy was at the quarterfinal of the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games in the quarterfinal - 45/42. Since then, Italy has made the final of almost every event, whereas Japan has yet to win a semifinal match at any World Cup event.
Team JAPAN
SHIKINE Takahiro 敷根 崇裕
MATSUYAMA Kyosuke 松山 恭助
IIMURA Kazuki
SUZUMURA Kenta 鈴村健太 (R)
Team ITALY
Daniele GAROZZO
Tomasso MARINI
Alessio FOCONI
Guillaume BIANCHI (R)
0:00 SHIKINE v MARINI
1:22 IIMURA v GAROZZO
4:28 MATSUYAMA v FOCONI
8:48 IIMURA v MARINI
12:01 SHIKINE v FOCONI
13:06 MATSUYAMA v GAROZZO
14:49 IIMURA v BIANCHI
16:44 MATSUYAMA v MARINI
19:13 SHIKINE v GAROZZO