07/09/2008

Italian fencing stars compete in the 'Battle of the sexes'

Granbassi and Cassarà warm their foil up in view of Beijing

Less than one month to go until the Beijing Olympics. Many of the Italian sports hopes lie in the fencing team, which traditionally collects medals and very good placing in the most important international competitions. Two of the athletes Italy is staking on for the Games are going to perform in Milano on Saturday, in occasion of the Fencing Gala's second edition: Margherita Granbassi and Andrea Cassarà are the longed for protagonists of a new kind of challenge, named 'Battle of the sexes'.

A 100-metre stage in Mercanti square, near the Duomo, is going to host the foil fencing mixed team contest, a demonstration that this elegant sport is not just about physical power, but also strategy, precision and swiftness. On the fencing mat, Granbassi and Cassarà face Arianna Errigo and Martino Minuto, who are both from Monza. The formula is that of the relay, with the competition ending after either 40 thrusts or 40 minutes: first Margherita versus Martino, then Arianna versus Andrea and finally the crossed duels.

It will be a significant test in view of the Olympic rendezvous too, both for Cassarà and Granbassi, who has just taken part in Kiev's European championships. As for the former, he was crowned continental champion for the third time: in China the Lombard fencer aims at repeating the triumphs of Athens, when he won the gold medal in the competition team and the individual bronze. As for Granbassi, the charming athlete is still dreaming her first Olympic honours, but the silver medal she gained in the Ukraine says a lot on her condition.

Saturday's Gala is also an opportunity to attend for the first time what has been defined 'The Milanese derby of fencing': the two legendary schools of the city, which are the most titled clubs at a national level as well, are going to face each other. The 'Società del Giardino' and the 'Circolo della spada Mangiarotti', respectively founded in 1882 and in 1909, send on the piste their young talents, some of them - no doubt about it - are going to step on the international podiums very soon.