PARIS: It was one upset too many for Singapore epee fencer Kiria Tikanah at the Paris Olympics on Saturday (Jul 27), after a 10-15 loss to Italy’s world number 3 Alberta Santuccio in the table of 32.
Earlier in the day, world number 75 Kiria caused a shock, edging out Peru’s Maria Calderon 15-14 at the Grand Palais. Calderon is ranked 29 places ahead of the Singaporean in the world rankings.
Beating Santuccio, however, proved to be a much tougher task. The Italian was a bronze medalist in the team epee event at the last Olympics, and took individual and team silver at the World Championships last year.
Yet, Kiria looked unfazed as she held her own early on. But Santuccio would eventually pull away to clinch the victory, with Kiria bowing out of the competition.
This is Kiria’s second Games appearance after making her debut at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. She was then eliminated in the table of 32.
Her compatriot Amita Berthier will begin her Games campaign in the table of 32 against United States’ Lauren Scruggs on Sunday.
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