Ota vs Massialas-----Moscow 2015 world Championship men's foil final

Yuki Ota won Japan's first world fencing championship gold medal on Thursday when he captured the foil title. Ota defeated Alexander Massialas of the United States 15-10 in the final.

[@Livinivs]

"this is going to be a match" facinating

[@arasanmark818]

Noble Sauvage fencinating

[@peterlewis8006]

hes not wrong

[@homfencing]

3:25....ok...when your hand speed is fast in a SLO MO replay.....you're fast!

[@enthymema7973]

Absolutely gorgeous match. Excellent effort on both sides. The footwork and handwork are absolutely stunning.

[@casperhowell8738]

has anyone else noticed that Alexander Massialas makes a habit of coming second in just about every competition?

[@hytiide4808]

yep xD havana, this, and now rio

[@robinhu2563]

yeah lol he only won cip paris i think

[@icebear3281]

Yeah lol, all the competitions besides some Grand Prixes

[@zaarongaming8174]

Tbh it shows how impressive he is to consistently be nearly the best for so long.

[@nicholaslucout6736]

I may be not nearly as good of a fencer as either fencer, but it seemed like it was inevitable that Ota would win this match. As Ota said in an interview, he studies his opponent very meticulously (not to say that Alex doesn't) and that won him the match. Main problem with Alex in this match was that he wasn't able to adapt to Ota fast enough. Specifically, he didn't control the distance well enough and the rhythm was controlled by Ota pretty much the whole time. It wasn't just Ota's speed that took him down, but the fact that Ota capitalized on Alex's habits, such as the one where he always pointing the wrist inward and down before making his attack. The synergy between Ota's tempo, ability to very quickly adjust the distance (at least, faster than Massialas), and his strategy was key to his victory. Take the first touch as an example. Throughout the last few advances he made, Alex's blade was nearly perpendicular to his (or Yuki's) body which makes it physically much more difficult for him to land the touch. If his tip weren't so "out of range," he would have had an easier time landing that touch despite Ota's counterattack. Even better would have been if he had been hiding his point in six (right hand side towards Ota's chest) rather than in four (left hand side towards Ota's right/weapon hand shoulder).

[@regularskeleton1752]

as someone who's learning fencing I appreciate the analysis

[@d4dri1]

Yuki Ota's balance is perfect. So Satisfying to watch.

[@stifleropec8637]

Foil is my favourite blade, am a coach & a fencer. My athletes/fencers that am training won medals on saturday @our local competition.

[@dk7541]

this is what two super Saiyan's look like when they fight.

[@thesilverbird45]

+Dustin K 😂😂😂

[@teruhikoyonemura8296]

Fast and precise!

[@dudeofvalor9294]

What a fencer Ota is. Love how he just dominated this match right from the get go. Credit to Massialas to score 10, he was dead and buried at one point but could not keep up with Ota's pace and relentless blade action (infact I think very few would be able to!)

[@dogestranding5047]

Yeah Ota definitely dominated the match physically and mentally.

[@moqtada5370]

He's definitely amazing. I got to meet him yesterday

[@jasoneel76]

@@moqtada5370 wow! Did you ever get to ask him any questions about his fencing?

[@moqtada5370]

@@jasoneel76 ah no he was in a rush. Literally only came to my country for 27 hours lmao

[@afterdinner6070]

I know it an older video but I thought it’s pretty cool.

[@hearingninja7914]

My fencing speed is more like the slo-mo replays.

[@MoqMoq]

Me too from Jpn

[@christianalbertjahns2577]

And mine is even slower than slow motion

[@vishawjeetsingh4238]

Good match I am also a foil fencer

[@L1nkn1vy]

This is like watching vipers fight. Jesus Christ...

[@ethangas9116]

This is my favorite match to watch

[@busimjanakiram8185]

I love fencing in foil nice tricks to known

[@byronbranch4645]

That 13th touch he attacked got parried remised and blocked the riposte. Good Lord he was fast.

[@alexthegreat38]

Upon watching this match for the second or third time just now, I noticed Ota did that multiple times throughout the bout. He got at least four or five hits, if not more, on sequences in which he was parried, but landed the remise. Sometimes he's blocking out the riposte, other times he's making the riposte miss, and other times he's just hitting the remise too damn fast. Any way he does it, it's impressive to land remises that much against another high-level fencer like that.

[@4tCa4mzUPqRZZo]

2:07 Lol Greg

[@lilsansho]

ota is very fast wow

[@boxing9468]

I’ve been boxing for about 3 years now and looking to better my footwork, fencing looks like it can help with just that not to mention reaction time and counter angles. Now question epee, foil, or Sabre type of fencing would you think would help in boxing?

[@SneakyBeaky1]

Boxing 94 I would say foil since it requires much more precision with each of your strikes. You can very easily miss and when you miss, you’re basically gonna lose that point.

[@byronbranch4645]

I've fenced foil for almost 20 years and the footwork helped my boxing dramatically. Do foil

[@mk05h31]

Ota dominates, no questions! I like his fencing manner

[@tanenghok]

What an exciting bout....if Ota keeps fencing like that, he has a good chance in Rio.

[@icebear3281]

Simon Ismael eh, I had hopes until round of 32

[@mrwizzardknight]

Foil is definitely the hardest of all the 3 weapons if you ask me. Well.... That's just my opinion. I mean, it's just so very easy to miss AND the matter of fact that ya gotta make sure you get the right of way! How can you NOT say that's pretty hard! XD it's also for the best they make ya stick to foil for as many years as possible cuz it WILL make you spectacular at epee and sabre! It was like that for me! I spent 4 and a half years with foil before I could fence epee and I'm REALLY looking forward to learn how to fence sabre in 2016 in January! :D :D :D

[@dudeofvalor9294]

+mrwizzardknight Enjoy Sabre. It is good fun and lightning quick!

[@mrwizzardknight]

I shall Michael matey! ;) I've got 5 more weeks of lessons before I can free fight, just like how it was last year when I was learning how to fence epee. Tell me, do you like to fence with all 3 weapons too?

[@dudeofvalor9294]

mrwizzardknight Mostly Foil - am aiming to be ranked in the UK this year, but I do take part in both Sabre and Epee at club and local competitions.

[@mrwizzardknight]

Wicked! :D :D :D You can call me Michael too. If you want. Yep! ;) I'm Michael Galan-Diaz and I lost against another Michael in the D.E of my last competition in epee! XD

[@dudeofvalor9294]

Unlucky! Am sure you'll get them next time :p How often do you train?

[@KausticSlime]

Has anyone else noticed that Massialas seems to be consistently or often leaning heavily over his front leg? I wonder if that is why Ota caught him as many times as he did, with his center of mass so far forward it seems like it would take a figurative eternity to react/retreat when necessary. Just curious as this is a mistake I often have to correct for myself.

[@hytiide4808]

its actually just his enguard i used his enguard for over a year and I actually liked it, for me personally its more comfortable, but the reason why he does it, is he aims for the shoulder and flank and it puts his hand closer, plus its harder to hit when an opponent is attacking, as mainly the shoulder is the only open target

[@icebear3281]

This position is used by many fencers(mostly for short people I've seen) to try to increase their reach. I used to do this but I was able to compensate for shortness with speed over years of practice and tactics.

[@TiboFPS]

Can someone who knows more about fencing than me (2 years of experience) how Ota was covering to receive the yellow? From my what I know that wasn't covering

[@dalesucio]

Tibo Smolders covered with his hand at the beginning of the action it doesn't show on the replay because it was earlier in the action that is the only conclusion i came too.

[@gtan5491]

OTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@sherzodsherzod9515]

Ozbekla bomii

[@devonwalter6053]

From 1:47 to 1:50, is that kind of footwork allowed in fencing 🤺? I know it’s not allowed in Sabre but is it allowed in Epee and Foil?

[@christianalbertjahns2577]

I think it is. Crossing leg is only forbidden in Saber

[@benberg1107]

Actually its allowed in sabre. In sabre, crossing the back foot in front of the front foot is illegal, but backoedalling is still legal.

[@otakuleveledup8458]

Crossing the legs is allowed in foil and epee in fact there is the flèche which is basically charging at the enemy parrying all attacks and attacks and can get real close. In sabre I’m pretty sure your allowed to cross your feet retreating but not advancing. Don’t quote me I mainly practice foil.

[@daksh_joshi11]

3:00 - Can someone explain how Massialas got a point there? Didn't Ota hit him while extending his (ota) arm? It couldn't be a flat else the light wouldn't go off (tell me if I'm wrong), nor could it be off-target because again, the light wouldn't go off. So what really happened there?

[@kevinchang532]

Massialas has right of way because he's the one moving forwards. Ota extends his arm while retreating, so that's a counter-attack, and Ota would only get the point if Massialas failed to get a light on, which is why you see Ota immediately retract his arm to try and block Massialas from finishing his attack. But because both lights are on, even though Ota hit slightly early, Massialas has right of way so it's his point.

[@BranoneMCSG]

What does is it mean when neither player scored? Did they hit eachother at the exact same time or something?

[@MaxximumKB]

Yeah its called a simultaneous attack, which in foil gives no point.

[@BranoneMCSG]

***** Yeah I found out about this. I also like how epee awards both players points.

[@esketeske3495]

it can also be if the attacker hits the arms or legs which are not target.

[@regularskeleton1752]

what are these announcers?

[@bubbahottep8644]

Hard to believe that a fencer would have a loose foil in his bag, at a competition at this level.

[@savitaarya8409]

Ota very good in this match

[@TiboFPS]

Who selects the players for the american team? it seems a bit dubious that Greg Massialas seems to have a carte blanche on that front

[@hytiide4808]

+Tibo Smolders its selected through which fencers in their nations have the highest nationl points. They get selected to go and fence at these tournaments, it just so happens the Alex is so good he makes his way into these...

[@TiboFPS]

Themodern pvper But what I mean is that I have seen Alexander beaten several times by people not on the team and yet he's still there. His dad being the head coach of the national and olympic team screams of nepotism in my mind. Im not saying he's bad but there are others who are better in the US

[@hytiide4808]

het gets beat, but still maintains the highest points though Im pretty sure, he places well at interantional tournaments and I think that's what really determines things.

[@SilverAoW]

+Themodern pvper www.usfencing.org/page/show/695494-men-s-foil If you click on MF Sr thats the national points scoring. The top 3 are the ones going to the Olympics, with the 4th spot being the backup member. The top 4 get to compete in the world championships. I hope this helps :)

[@hytiide4808]

***** greg's side is from greece, Alex's mom and grandmother are from china.

[@syeda4060]

3:19👍

[@twinkytwinklier4047]

I'm alex didnt stand a chance

[@blackhawks2009]

at 3:04 can anyone explain with OTA didn't get the point? it looked like he initiated the attack. What am I missing?

[@esketeske3495]

He moved backward, giving right of way to Massialas

[@blackhawks2009]

Thanks a lot, pal.

[@beld3375]

Oat stuck out a sword giving priority but Alex parry riposted

[@manikandanj4595]

No para

[@sweettea5199]

Why does Ota get a yellow card again? Can someone explain please 🙏🏼

[@marcus....]

Covering target area with his left hand

[@stefis6]

At 7-6, Ota's attack misses. There is seemingly no parry from Massialas and both fencers then attack. Why is Massialas awarded the point to go 7-7?

[@collinwalker550]

+stefis6 I know this is late, but essentially Ota Misses his attack. Because of this his attack ended when he missed, then its Massialas's "turn" so to speak. Therefore it was Massialas's attack.

[@fanmanabc]

+stefis6 Ota misses his attack, moves past Massialas, and both attack. Since Ota missed his attack initially and both fencer's get 1 action after passing one another, Massialas has priority since at that point, Ota has had 2 actions.

[@fanmanabc]

+stefis6 At least that's what I think why, someone correct me if i'm mistaken

[@daregaomaesuki]

I know this is late, but let me correct. Massilas missed his 'attack', but Ota also missed his 'counter-attack' same time. and then touched each other on second time. this case is Massilas' priority who missed his 'attack' so that was Massilas' priority even if Ota was not crossing.

[@cameronschwanz2186]

I'm having problems with finding the value in what foil is. Metaphysically speaking, what is a sword-based martial art compared to foil. A martial art vs a game version of the martial art? I see the differences in their style, and it is kind of neat, I'm just trying to find some deeper meaning and appreciation.

[@BeenWashMan]

I love 07:16 !

[@wayd19]

I wish the face counted. Why doesn't it?

[@YusufAlthawadii]

Because this's foil , in saber it does counts the head and the arms too

[@julianbushelli1331]

Because when people originally began fencing, people didn't have masks. They outlawed the face as a target, so that people wouldn't gouge each other's eyes out.

[@kebbesan]

No, it's because each weapon is inspired of a real type of fight: -saber -> fight on horse thats why you do not target the legs, because you dont want to hurt the horse or something like this -foil -> deadly fights, thats why the targets are only deadly targets -epee -> courtesy fights, the first one who got touch was wrong and the winner got the girl or the argument

[@icebear3281]

Well this is off topic but foil fencers are able to do well in saber and epee because of their accuracy. The weapons are based off of colonial style fencing(See Kebbe San's comment)

[@mallorymallory3534]

7:30 excuse me?

[@MinnieYHM]

That was a turn. You do it when you get too close to your opponent

[@MinnieYHM]

I know that because i do fencing

[@ucc930ml]

But why is only Alex's face armor American color?

[@hollowblight372]

of course the americans are no match in the ways of the sword, They mearly adopted it while the Japanese lived it

[@jarommasters8304]

Anybody else notice how Olympic fencers freak out whenever it lasts more than about three seconds? Example: 2:18

[@NavinKumar-ie5ye]

Japan trick fencing fastest 🙄🙄🙄

[@miccomte]

Otta has got a very nice style. By the way, at 03:04, the call is wrong it should be attack on preparation from Otta.

[@ansel8]

Alex didn't stop, it'd be attack in prep only if Alex stopped when ota attacked

[@miccomte]

@@ansel8 He bends his arm

[@ansel8]

@@miccomte and that's still his attack lol...

[@miccomte]

@@ansel8 Not according to the rules, just according to many referees nowadays

[@ansel8]

@@miccomte Indeed. Modern foil is refereed with a different interpretation of the rules than like 60 years ago. Essentially, you have right of way during an advance lunge if and only if you make an attempt to hit the target on the lunge part of the advance lunge. Also, right of way is dependent on what both fencers are doing. If the opponent is retreating, they cannot have right of way unless they take the blade. All this basically translates to forward motion=attacking. This isn't a wrong way to referee the sport, it is just a different interpretation of the rules.

[@sonkew826]

5:19 seriously?! each of them hits the other but only one hit counts because it's in a specific place or .3 seconds before the other? i thought this was fencing, not tag?

[@hellothere-vj6vm]

Learn the rules of Right-of-Way.

[@dennisjin9260]

Foil fencing is based on noble practice before a duel. The chest is a spot where people are going to get killed, so they attempt to teach the prospective duelers to hit in the chest in order to kill the opponent in their duel. The reason for RoW is that a parry-riposte is more likely to stop the duel than an attack, and likewise for counterattacks. Eventually, governments came in and said that people couldn't seriously injure other people in duels, but people wanted to continue fencing, and voilà, fencing was born.

[@ariachahal4235]

dude learn the rules of foil before you make comments that are gonna backfire 🙄

[@ansel8]

Ota parries before Alex hits

[@jjaapp18]

They've trained so many years using foils, epees, and sabres. Give them a rapier, and they can't do anything. Can't whip the tip at your opponent, it doesn't bend like that.

[@dogestranding5047]

I'm pretty sure that these guys almost solely train foil. And they could probably easily learn rapier or smallsword.

[@jjaapp18]

Bryan Wheelock Can't easily learn something that's a completely different weapon.

[@dogestranding5047]

jjaapp18 Foil was made to train for smallsword. You're completely ignorant.

[@jjaapp18]

Bryan Wheelock LOL! My favorite part is where you're wrong and try to tell me I'm wrong.

[@tobieche9725]

And why would you give them a rapier? It's a sport, not the middle age...

[@busimjanakiram8185]

I love fencing in foil nice tricks to known