Fares Arfa made Canadian history today at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 29-year-old fencer put together a great showing just hours ago. Arfa stunned the fencing community when he defeated Aron Szilagyi by a 15-8 final.
Szilagyi, who is Hungarian, is not only the defending champion but a three-time gold medalist. He won gold at the Toyko 2021 Olympics, Rio de Janeiro in 2016, and London in 2012.
HUGE moment for Canadian fencing at #Paris2024
Fares Arfa 🇨🇦 defeated 3-time defending gold medallist Áron Szilágyi 🇭🇺 in men's sabre @FencingCanada pic.twitter.com/cRxK1xVAEP
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) July 27, 2024
Arfa wound up falling a short time later in the quarter final 15-13 to South Korea’s Oh Sang-uk. Sang-uk is ranked fourth in the world, while Arfa entered the Olympic Games ranked 35th.
Escrime 🤺 : Fares Arfa 🇨🇦 s'incline par la marque de 15-13 en quart de finale contre Sanguk Oh 🇰🇷.@FencingCanada #Paris2024 #rcsports #escrime #jeuxolympiques pic.twitter.com/MvkF8qfEAF
— Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) July 27, 2024
Despite the disappointing ending, it was a terrific showing from Arfa. Not only was he able to defeat the best in Szilagyi, but he finished the event in eight-place, which is the highest ever finish in fencing by a Canadian at the Olympics. The previous best was held by Michel Dessureault, who finished 10th at the Los Angeles 1984 Olympics.
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“Congratulations on this historic accomplishment, Fares!” the Canadian Olympic Team wrote on Instagram.
Today is just one of many action-packed days set to take place in Paris, with the Olympics set to go until August 11. A fantastic Opening Ceremony kicked off last night, where several great acts, including an iconic performance from Celine Dion, were on display for fans all over the world to take in.
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