Ukrainian fencer breaks 22-year drought with golden win in Tbilisi
Photo: Vlada Kharkova (NFFU)
Ukrainian épée fencer Vlada Kharkova claimed the world championship title in fencing in 2025 during the competition held in Tbilisi. This is Ukraine's second gold medal in this discipline since 2003, according to the National Fencing Federation of Ukraine.
"Vlada Kharkova wins gold in Tbilisi and becomes only the second woman in the history of independent Ukraine to win a world championship title in individual épée fencing after the current head coach of the national team, Nataliya Konrad, who celebrated victory in Havana in 2003," the NFFU reported.
It's also noted that Kharkova has become only the fifth Ukrainian world champion in fencing overall. During the competition in Tbilisi (Georgia), Kharkova delivered an exceptional performance, defeating five opponents, three of whom she beat by just a single hit.
In the final match, the Ukrainian fencer triumphed over Estonian épéeist Katrina Lehis, the bronze medalist of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and 2018 European Champion.
Photo: Vlada Kharkova and Nataliya Konrad (NFFU)
Earlier, we wrote that Ukrainian heavyweight boxer Oleksandr Usyk recently crushed his opponent Daniel Dubois in a unification bout for all major titles: WBA, WBO, WBC, and IBF. Usyk dominated the fight and knocked out Dubois in the fifth round, leaving the British fighter with no chance.
