July 27 Olympics Recap: Cebula, Husisian, Saron Advance to Round of 16

PARIS, France —  Anne Cebula (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Hadley Husisian (Oakton, Va.) and Mitchell Saron (Ridgewood, N.J.) each won their opening bouts on Saturday at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The three Olympians, each competing at their first Olympic Games, advanced to the Round of 16 where they lost in tightly contested bouts. 

In her Round of 32 bout, Cebula defeated 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rossella Fiamingo (ITA) in Priority Overtime, 15-14. She then lost to Auriane Mallo-Breton (FRA), 15-13.

Husisian beat two-time individual World Cup medalist Pauline Brunner (SUI) in Priority Overtime, 12-11, in the Round of 32. She then lost to top-seeded Vivian Kong Man Wai (HKG), 15-12, in the Round of 16.

In his opening round contest, Mitchell Saron bested 2022 World Championships individual saber silver medalist Maxime Pianfetti (FRA), 15-12, despite the overwhelming cheers from the pro-France crowd. He lost in the Round of 16 to the top seed, Ziad El Sissy (EGY), 15-13.

Eli Dershwitz (Sherborn, Mass.), Colin Heathcock (Beijing, China) and Margherita Guzzi Vincenti (Hartland, Wis.) lost in the opening round.

All six fencers will have one more shot at a medal in their weapon’s team event. The Women’s Epee Team event is July 30, while the Men’s Saber Team event will be held July 31.

Team USA will return to fencing action on Sunday, July 28, in the Women’s Foil Individual competition, featuring reigning Olympic champion Lee Kiefer (Lexington, Ky.) alongside Lauren Scruggs (Queens, N.Y.) and Jackie Dubrovich (Maplewood, N.J.).

Anne Cebula def. Rossella Fiamingo (ITA) in Priority Overtime, 15-14

Hadley Husisian def. Pauline Brunner (SUI) in Priority Overtime, 12-11

Margherita Guzzi Vincenti loses to Vlada Kharkova (UKR), 15-6 

Anne Cebula lost to Auriane Mallo-Breton (FRA), 15-13

Hadley Husisian lost to Vivian Kong Man Wai (HKG), 15-12

Colin Heathcock loses to Sangwon Park (KOR), 15-10

Eli Dershwitz loses to Csanad Gemesi (HUN), 15-10

Mitchell Saron def. Maxime Pianfetti (FRA), 15-12

Mitchell Saron lost to Ziad El Sissy (EGY), 15-13