Aris Kiayias wins Cyprus's first Youth Olympic fencing medal
The foil bronze in Dakar is Cyprus's fourth medal at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games, sealed by three straight points in a 15–14 finish.
Aris Kiayias won bronze in the foil at the 4th Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, giving Cyprus its fourth medal of the Games and its first-ever Youth Olympic medal in fencing.
The bronze bout was a see-saw contest: Kiayias led 8–2, saw Britain's Mohammed Belbouab turn it around to lead 13–9 and then 14–12, and then scored the last three points to win 15–14.
Earlier he had won five of his six pool bouts, beaten Thierno Hady Thiam of Mali 15–0 in the round of 16 and Denmark's Hannibal Lykke Kofoed 15–6 in the quarter-finals. He lost the semi-final 15–10 to Hong Kong's Ho Shing Him Harris.
Kiayias was born and lives in the United States and is of Cypriot descent through his father. He is coached by Lauria Lorenz.
His medal follows Marina Hadjikosta's gold in the discus and two bronzes for swimmer Andrew Markus Lagoutis.
Sources
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