Images from the Junior / Cadet World Championships

April 25, 2000

South Bend, Indiana

Junior Men's Sabre Team Finals

The lineup for the Gold Medal bout in the Junior Men's Sabre Team event. Fencing for Hungary were Tamas Decsi, Balazs Lengyel, Sandor Neuhold, and Gabor Szelle. Germany was represented by Gold Medalist Dennis Bauer, Steven Bauer, Christian Geiger, and Junior World Cup Medalist Harald Stehr.

The two teams shake hands prior to the match.

The fencers test weapons before Gold Medal bout begins.

The underdog Hungarians jumped out to a quick three touch lead at the start of the second period.

The Hungarians maintained their lead through the second period, giving Gabor Szelle a three touch advantage to start the third.

American and Notre Dame fencers cheer on Gabor Szelle of Hungary. Szelle, an NCAA All-American at Notre Dame, would give up two touches of the lead to the Germans.

Gabor Szelle hooks up for his fifth round match.

Szelle tests weapons prior to the fifth period bout. In this period he would extend the lead of the surprising Hungarians back to three.

Szelle and the Hungarians enjoy a four touch advantage prior to their seventh period bout against top German Harald Stehr.

The Hungarians watch with dismay as their lead evaporates under the German assault.

The German's begin the final period with a two touch lead, which Gold Medalist Dennis Bauer extended to a commanding 44-39 advantage.

Amazingly, the Hungarians come back with five straight touches to tie the match at 44!

The German team is awarded the final touch, however, resulting in a thrilling 45-44 victory for the Gold Medal over the Hungarians.

The presentation of the medals for the Junior Men's Sabre Team event. The Bronze Medal was awarded to the Ukraine, represented by Artem Dranyk, Serguei Issaenko, Vladimir Loukachenko, and Vladimir Tretiak.

The team champions of Junior Men's Sabre!