2017 Asian Fencing Championships

[Ata]

Individual sabre
Silver Mohammad Rahbari (IRI)
Bronze Ali Pakdaman (IRI)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2017_Asian_Fencing_Championships

[Ata]

Team sabre

Silver
Iran
Ali Pakdaman
Mojtaba Abedini
Mohammad Rahbari
Mohammad Fotouhi

[IRAN300]

Next week we will have 2017 World Fencing Championships in Hungary, and Iran Sabre Team can make another big surprise.


Last year Mojtaba Abedini finished 4th at Olympics after a fantastic performance, he was only few seconds from medal and it has to be said that he suffered from bad officiating also. Similarly the Sabre Team also finished 4th at World Championships last year (Team Sabre not being included in 2016 Olympics programm, a world championship was done last year).

Now it is time for revenge. And the team had another brilliant performance just few weeks ago at Asian Championships. At the time being we have 3 world level fencers with Abedini, Pakdaman and Rahbari, and 4th guy Fotouhi is good also which is important for the team competition.

Abedeni #8 in the world but Rahbari and Pakdaman are outsiders, especially the first one which is very talented and is probably the best chance of Iran for Individual competition.
He was the biggest prospect of Iran Sabre few years ago but injuries prevented him from progressing, while Pakdaman which has same age as him improved during that time.
Fortunately, Rahbari is now back at his true level and is a major threat to anyone because of his strength and size, it is more than likely that we would medal in team sabre last year if he was there.

Abedini is very experienced, and his game is based on good technique and smart moves such as counter attacks to compensate his small physic, while other guys are very huge but less experienced (specially Rahbari and Fotouhi).

The team is #5 in the Team Sabre ranking.

Individual competition: Preliminary rounds will be held on wednesday 19th and knockout stage on friday 21th.
Team competition: Monday 24th.

Let's hope that they won't meet Israelis on their way.