Despite hot start, V.I. fencer Schembri-McCord out in 1st round of men's foil
Kruz Schembri-McCord worked years to become a top-notch fencer and reach one of his goals — to compete in the Olympics.
2024-07-30 16:29:49 - VI News Staff
But the first U.S. Virgin Islands fencer to make it to the Games in 40 years saw his efforts end early at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 17-year-old Schembri-McCord, competing in the men’s individual foil, was knocked out in the first round with a 15-8 loss to Canada’s Blake Broszus on Monday morning at Paris’ Grand Palais.
Schembri-McCord, seeded 33rd in the 37-fencer field, pulled ahead early against the 32nd-seeded Broszus, scoring the first three points and leading 6-2 midway through the first period. However, that’s when things fell apart for Schembri-McCord.
Broszus went on to outscore Schembri-McCord 11-2 over the final 1:47 of the first period for a 13-8 lead, then quickly scored the final two points over 33 seconds in the second period to win the match. Broszus would then lose to top-seeded Tommaso Marini of Italy in the second round later Monday 15-9.
Hong Kong’s Cheung Ka Long would claim the gold medal, beating Italy’s Filippoo Macchi in a close final match 15-14. The bronze went to U.S. fencer Nick Itkin, who beat Japan’s Iimura Kazuki 15-12 in the bronze medal match.