The Paris 2024 Olympics have started with many surprises, but no one expected a Canadian fencer to stand out on the first day. Arfa Fares aimed to make his mark and did so in a big way.
Arfa’s win over Szilagyi Aron, Hungary’s three-time defending gold medalist, amazed everyone and showed why the Olympics are the peak of the sport. Even though Arfa’s incredible journey ended in the quarter-finals with a close 15-13 loss to South Korea’s Sang-uk Oh , a former world champion, his performance has likely sparked new excitement in Canadian fencing.
Arfa’s path was thrilling, beginning with his first-round win over Szilagyi at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He then moved to the quarter-finals with a solid 15-8 victory over France’s Apithy Bolade .
For the 29-year-old, it has been a whirlwind of emotions, with his outstanding performance catching the world’s eye.
Fares Arfa, from Laval, Quebec, has a great list of achievements. One of his early international successes was winning a team gold at the 2014 Pan American Junior Championships. He also won a bronze medal in the individual competition at last year’s Pan American Games.
Competing for Canada, whether in Team Sabre or individual, Arfa has always shown his skills. While he didn’t win a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, his performance was fantastic and will be remembered for years. 
Paris 2024 Fencing: Other Results
Meanwhile, Cauchon Francois suffered a narrow 15-13 defeat against Maria Pascual of Argentina in Men’s Sabri Individual Table of 64. The 24-year-old started poorly but recover quickly and overtook the Argentine towards the end of Period 1 to finish it with 8-7. Till -2:33 of Period 2, the Canadian was leading 13-11, but the Argentine’s moment of brilliance in the last few seconds sealed the match in his favour 15-13.
In Women’s Épée Individual Table of 32, Ruien Xiao defeated Brazil’s Nathalie Moellhausen 15-11. However in Table of 16, the Canadian suffered a narrow 15-14 defeat in the hands of Olena Kryvytska of Ukraine.
Arfa’s compatriot in Men’s Sabre Individual, Shaul Gordon, however fell to Luigi Samele of Italy in the Table of 32 itself with the score reading 15-10.
