In doing so, Giordan reached his third men’s sabre category A podium of the year and topped the standings for the first time since early 2023.

But Giordan’s path to victory was not the easiest. In the final he faced European Championships silver medallist Andrii Demchuk of Ukraine, the man he had lost to in the semi-finals at the Euros.

A clash between the pair is always guaranteed to be close, and that did not change on Friday. Another tight match saw Giordan emerge the victor by just two points.

The bronze medallists were Robin Serge of France and Germany’s Julius Haupt.

Italy had yet more cause for celebration in the last event of the day – the men’s sabre category B.

Andrea Jacquier, competing at only his second World Cup, shocked the field and landed on top.

“I felt a great emotion when I hit the podium [finals] piste, at times I paid for these strong sensations but I’m really happy to have done the best. I was good at managing the most complex moments and I can be proud of having brought Italy to the top step of the podium here in Pisa, in our home. My friend Edoardo Giordan, who always gives me a lot of advice, told me that if I won the race he would pay for a holiday for me. He will keep his promise”.

Germany’s Cheema Balwinder was second, followed by Dong Hun Kim of South Korea and France’s Laurent Vadon who both left with bronze.

In the women’s foil category B, the incredible Irma Khetsuriani revealed in Pisa that is recovering from major surgery. The Georgian had a kidney removed only one month ago.

That made her win in the weapon even more impressive and Khetsurani clearly likes the pistes of Pisa. Her last foil World Cup win came here two years ago.

Ukraine’s Nadiia Doloh took her second foil medal of the year with silver.

Hong Kong’s Nga Ting Tong followed up on her win from the epee on Thursday (7 November) with bronze. Neutral Para Athlete Aleksandra Ilminskaya also secured a  second top three finish from Pisa, leaving with the other bronze.

Hungarian European champion Eva Andreja Hajmasi topped her first foil World Cup podium of 2024 in the women’s category A.

Her final opponent, multiple Paralympic medallist Yu Chui Yee, had already taken bronze in the epee the day previously.

But it was Hajmasi who held her nerve and carved out a 15-9 win.

In the semi-final, Hajmasi knocked-out Spanish Paris 2024 bronze medallist Judith Rodriguez who had to settle for third place. Ukraine’s Nataliia Morkvych joined her on the podium.

The Pisa 2024 wheelchair fencing World Cup continues on Saturday with the women’s sabre and men’s epee. Competition runs until Sunday will a full compliment of weapons in the men’s and women’s category A and B.

Sunday will see mixed team events take place in epee, foil and sabre in a first for the sport as it continues to stay fresh and relevant