Defending gold medal sabre champion Aron Szilagyi has retained his title in Rio as he wins Hungary its second fencing gold in Brazil.
It’s a disappointing end to an outstanding run by Daryl Homer who brings home the United States’ second fencing silver medal of these games.
Before he even arrived in Rio de Janiero, Homer acknowledged the fickle nature of the sabre competition.
That was on full display throughout the competition with several upsets including that of projected gold medal favorite Alexey Yakimenko.
There was one thing that did remain consistent though and that was Homer himself.
Even in defeat he never strayed from what got him here in the first place.
His tenacity, technique and athleticism were on prominent display as he showed himself to be a much more refined and confident fighter than he was in London.
But in the end he couldn’t overcome Szilagyi’s experience and quickness on the piste.
Rio marks the third Olympic appearance of Szilagyi who has been a consistent presence on the sabre circuit for several years.
In the last seven years, he has ranked among the top seven fencers in the world and has placed in the top ten at the World Championships the past five years.