Neisser Loyola wins Qatar Fencing Grand Prix

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January 26, 2025
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26-January-2025

Neisser Loyola wins Qatar Fencing Grand Prix

Doha: Belgian fencer Neisser Loyola emerged victorious at the Qatar 2025 Grand Prix Epee Fencing Championship, organized by the Qatar Fencing Federation under the supervision of the International Fencing Federation. Held at Aspire over three exciting days, the event featured 440 participants (247 men and 193 women) from 56 countries, including 9 Arab nations.

In the men’s individual final, Loyola defeated Hungary’s Gergely Siklósi with a score of 15-11 to secure the gold medal. The bronze medals were shared by Venezuela's Rubén Limardo, who lost to Siklósi in the semifinals (12-7), and Italy’s Davide Di Veroli, who was beaten by Loyola in the other semifinal (15-9).

In the women’s individual final, Hong Kong’s Hsieh Kailan Sin Yan claimed the gold medal after defeating Estonia’s Nelli Differt with a score of 15-7, leaving Differt with the silver medal. The semifinals saw Sin Yan overcome Ukraine’s Dzhoan Bezura (14-11), while Differt defeated Italy’s Lucrezia Paolini (15-11). Bezura and Paolini each earned bronze medals.

The winners were honored in a closing ceremony attended by H.E. Mohammed bin Youssef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, and Abdullah Ali Al Ghanim, President of the Qatar Fencing Federation.

The medical team was also recognized for their swift action in saving the life of Oldrich Kubista, President of the Czech Fencing Federation, who suffered a cardiac arrest during the competition. Other honorees included Aspire representatives Rawda Al Mana and Yousef Ibrahim Al Sulaiti, Khalid Sweid, head of the equipment and field inspection committee, and Marjorie Geneviève, event supervisor from the International Fencing Federation.