Portuguese fencer Leonor Melo clinched a silver medal in the women’s épée competition at a significant junior circuit event held in Spain, demonstrating a strong international showing.
The competition, part of the Spanish junior circuit for under-20 athletes, took place in Zaratan, within Spain’s Valladolid region. Melo distinguished herself among 88 female fencers in the épée discipline.
Her path to the final included winning all six of her initial pool bouts. She then secured victories in four elimination rounds before advancing to the gold medal match.
In the final, Melo was defeated 15-9 by Lucia Abajo, the reigning Spanish junior champion.
Other Portuguese female fencers also participated, with Joana Barroso finishing 10th and Sofia Iglesias placing 15th. Maria Barão, Marta Carvalho, and Rita Bota secured 23rd, 58th, and 62nd places, respectively.
The men’s competition featured 176 athletes, where Spanish fencers dominated, sweeping all podium positions. Gabriel Vargas emerged as the winner, defeating compatriot Miguel Martín 15-9 in their final bout.
The top-ranked Portuguese male fencer was Xavier Melo, an under-17 cadet from the João Gomes Fencing Academy, who finished 19th. Other Portuguese participants included Joaquim Joanes (33rd), Sebastião Amaral (60th), Nicolas Lucas (78th), and Tiago Albergaria (87th).