United States

NYC Fencer Miles Chamley-Watson Shines in Semifinal Loss

Miles Chamley-Watson shined for the United States in their semifinal loss to Russia in the team foil competition.

The oldest member of the foil team, who trains and lives in New York City and grew up in Philadelphia, scored 24 points in the bout--often when the U.S. needed it most.

Russia looked like it might make quick work of the U.S. after taking a commanding 15-7 lead through three periods.

Chamley-Watson fenced in the fourth against Timur Safin, rallying the Americans back into the match behind a 10 point effort.

Gerek Meinhardt regained a point advantage for the U.S. in the fifth but they fell behind after Alexander Massialas lost his bout against Artur Akhumatkhuzin 3-6.

Behind four points, Chamley-Watson returned to the piste to face Akhumatkhuzin in the eighth for his final match of the bout.

Akhumatkhuzin had eliminated Chamley-Watson in the Round of 32 in the individual foil competition.

The fencers tied twice before Chamley-Watson pulled the U.S. ahead 40-39.

That set up one final showdown between Massialas and Alexey Cheremisinov, the 2014 world champion.

Massialas struggled, as he had for much of the bout, and scored just one point as Cheremisinov scored six points to win the bout for the Russians 45-41.

It was a disappointing ending for Massialas. The individual foil silver medalist started the day strong, scoring 18 points in the U.S.' bout against Egypt.

This included tying the match three times in the fifth period before taking a one point lead that the U.S. never relinquished in the quarterfinals.

But the script was flipped in the semis. He was shut out of his first match with Russia's Timur Safin who won 6-0. Massialas scored just four touches the entire match.

Team USA coach Greg Massialas, Alexander's father, chose not to use alternate Race Imboden.

Meinhardt scored 13 points in each bout against Egypt and Russia.

The U.S. will compete for a bronze medal in a rematch with Italy. Italy defeated the Americans in the London semifinals by 21 touches. The U.S. then lost to Germany in the bronze medal match 45-27.

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