The multiple World and European Championships medallist faced an unfamiliar opponent in the final – Italy’s Andreea Mogos.

Khetsuriani thanked the Italian for a challenging match and admitted that at times she was intimidated during the 15-9 victory:

“The worst enemy is ourselves. First what I said to myself was: “you can do it, you have done it in the past. So let’s go Irma”. It was not easy, physically, mentally and a little bit of me was scared. A little bit! But champions are not scared. Champions are champions because they are overcoming their fears.”

Mogos and Khetsuriani had never faced each other in a final before making for a great spectacle, not least for Mogos who was able to deliver the hosts their latest medal with silver.

Poland’s Karolina Strawinska and Ukraine’s Nadiia Doloh were the bronze medallists.

In the men’s epee category A Türkiye’s Paris 2024 silver medallist Hakan Akkaya topped the standings – but only just.

Akkaya faced Neutral Para Athlete Maxim Shaburov in a closely fought final, winning by just one point.

The victory is just the latest in a long line for the Turkish fencer who had a fantastic build-up to his Paralympic debut, culminating in a medal.

“The last three years I changed,” Akkaya said. “From Tokyo 2020 to Paris Paralympics I change a lot and I think I developed myself. Now I am trying for Los Angeles. I need a gold medal in my CV, it is my dream. I changed a lot, I feel that now I am up.”

Two Ukrainians completed the podium. Artem Manko, who adds to his sabre bronze from earlier in the competition, and Oleksii Zakusylov, took third position.

Latvia’s Olegs Garkuls-Gurevic was absolutely delighted with his gold in the men’s epee category B, letting out what has now become a legendary victory cry in Pisa.

The Latvian persevered in the final against Ukraine’s Anton Datsko, grinding out a 15-14 win in a gripping tie.

“I can’t tell anything because it’s too many things now. I am so happy. Because from Pisa I have my second gold,” Garkuls-Gurvevic said, referencing his win from the World Cup in November, his first gold at this level.

“I’m still working hard because I want to become world champion,” he continued, looking ahead to Iksan 2025 in September.

Despite missing out on gold, Datsko will still be pleased with his silver which is his second of the week after the foil.

Italy’s Michele Massa and France’s Yohan Peter were the bronze medallists.

Poland’s Kinga Drozdz was another fencer who was overjoyed with her win on Saturday.

The European champion and Paralympic silver medallist claimed her fifth gold medal from the Pisa pistes in the women’s sabre category A.

Ukraine’s Nataliia Morkvych was the silver medallist, following on from her foil bronze earlier in the week.

Also adding to her collection was Great Britain’s Gemma Collis with bronze, who also took silver in epee.  Georgia’s Paralympic champion Nina Tibilashvili occupied the other bronze medal spot continuing her own impressive run of form in sabre.

The Pisa 2025 Para Fencing World Cup will reach a thrilling conclusion on Sunday (16 March).

Athletes will gather for the mixed foil, epee and sabre team events which not only see male and female athletes join forces but also feature a quicker format of first to 20 points. The fast and furious trio of events are part of efforts by World Para Fencing to keep the sport relevant to new and current fans