Fares Arfa will never forget his Olympic debut.
The Canadian fencer recorded a massive upset in the first round of men’s individual sabre at the Paris Games, beating three-time reigning Olympic champion Aron Szilagyi of Hungary 15-8 on Saturday.
Arfa then advanced to the quarterfinals with a 15-8 win over Bolade Apithy of France before losing 15-13 to former world champion Oh Sang-uk of South Korea.
“It feels good,” Arfa said after his win over Szilagyi, per the Canadian Olympic Committee. “I came prepared, I came ready to go. I didn’t look at his name, closed my eyes. It doesn’t matter who’s in front of me, it’s a fight first and foremost against myself. If I stay disciplined, follow the game plan, everything’s going to work out and it did.”
Arfa was ranked 27th in the 32-man field.
Canada has never won a medal in Olympic fencing.
The 29-year-old Arfa, from Laval, Que., won a bronze medal in individual competition at the Pan American Games last year. He was 55th in sabre at the world championships.
Canadian fencer Fares Arfa has been making waves at the Tokyo Olympics with his surprising run to the quarterfinals in the men’s individual foil event. The 26-year-old athlete from Montreal has been turning heads with his impressive performances against some of the world’s top fencers.
Arfa, who is competing in his first Olympics, entered the competition as a relative unknown on the international fencing scene. However, he quickly made a name for himself by defeating higher-ranked opponents in the early rounds of the tournament.
In the round of 16, Arfa faced off against Italian fencer Alessio Foconi, who is ranked number two in the world. Despite being the underdog, Arfa put on a masterful display of skill and determination to secure a 15-13 victory and advance to the quarterfinals.
Arfa’s success at the Olympics is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. He has been training tirelessly for years to reach this level of competition, and his efforts are finally paying off on the world stage.
Fencing is a sport that requires a unique combination of physical agility, mental acuity, and strategic thinking. Athletes must possess quick reflexes, precise footwork, and a keen understanding of their opponent’s movements in order to succeed.
Arfa’s success at the Olympics is not only a personal triumph but also a source of inspiration for aspiring fencers in Canada and around the world. His unexpected run to the quarterfinals serves as a reminder that with hard work, determination, and perseverance, anything is possible.
As Arfa prepares to compete in the quarterfinals, Canadian fans are eagerly anticipating his next match and cheering him on as he continues to defy expectations and make his mark on the Olympic stage. Regardless of the outcome, Arfa’s impressive performance at the Tokyo Olympics has already solidified his place as a rising star in the world of fencing.