Fencer Sandro Bazadze claims European bronze in Tbilisi

Fencer Sandro Bazadze claimed Georgia's second medal in four days at the ongoing European Fencing Championships in Tbilisi, reaching the semifinals of the competition on Friday.

Bazadze was on the podium to receive the bronze medal from the Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs of Georgia Tariel Khechikashvili, after finishing third in Men's Sabre category.

The 23-year old Georgian reached the semifinals after defeating Hungary's Csanad Gemesi in the quarterfinal round with a score 15-7, before a close contest against Germany's Max Hartung on June 15.

Bazadze (R) photographed during his semifinal match against Hartung on Friday. Photo: Georgia's Sport Ministry press office.

Bazadze ultimately conceded the match to Hartung with a score 11-15, while Aron Szilagyi of Hungary won his encounter with Italy's Luca Curatoli. The Men's Sabre final saw the German defeat Szilagyi with a score 15-7, taking the gold medal of the category.

Rio Olympic games finalist Bazadze took his bronze came in the same week as the gold medal claimed by Teodora Kakhiani on the first day of the tournament on Monday.

Defeating acting European champion Rossella Gregorio, Kakhiani became the first female fencer from Georgia to take the title.

The Rio Olympic Games finalist earned the bronze and the third step on the podium. Photo: Georgia's Sport Ministry press office.

The European Fencing Championships will run through June 17 in Tbilisi. Team matches in Women's Foil and Men's Epee disciplines were held at New Tbilisi Sports Complex earlier today, with Women's Epee and Men's Sabre teams facing each other on the final day on Saturday.

The competition is held within this year's Check in Georgia governmental project, involving a dozen international tournaments and sporting events throughout the year.