Upset Alert at Washington Grand Prix Olympic Qualifier - Lombardi No. 31 vs Massialas No. 5

Fencing Olympic Qualifier for Paris 2024 FIE Senior Event in Washington DC
Giulio Lombardi World Ranking No. 31 vs Alexander Massialas World Ranking No. 5
#fencing #olympics #fie

[@OlympicFoil]

Oooo "Upset Alert" i like it, very nice

[@lastbot7383]

I still remember that Lombardi used to struggle against junior US fencers, it's crazy that he beat Massialas.

[@ganzuhh]

Lombardi was breaking the rules. In his next bout he gets like 3 red cards for doing the same thing. The ref just didn't see it. That being said, Massialas sold here by losing focus and thinking he had it in the bag at 14-10

[@craigvandevooren2341]

No, he did not/was not.

[@ganzuhh]

@@craigvandevooren2341 who did not what?

[@craigvandevooren2341]

@@ganzuhh Lombardi was not breaking the rules. What do the rules say about constant interruptions on the strip? Sideline coaching?

[@ganzuhh]

@@craigvandevooren2341 Lombardi was blocking target with his head. Massialas was trying to call it out but the ref didn't see it. Andrew Chen beat Lombardi right after this because he was getting carded for the same things here.

[@craigvandevooren2341]

@@ganzuhhHow many off target hits were caused by this transgression you want to have seen? As to the next bout - cheating by refs is a long standing tradition in fencing.

[@nightace3027]

I don't understand the comments complaining about Massialas's whining, it is completely justified, in competitions every point matters and something as high level as olympic qualifiers, he was completely within his right. He was never particularly rude and accepted calls he didn't agree with. Lombardi however definitely locked in at the end there, he deserved the comeback

[@viniciusalonso9784]

I had a winter fencing camp in Miami with Lombardi, not only that, I was fencing in the Grand Prix (though lost on poules), so I went o see this bout just to see who was gonna fence against Andrew Chen, who funny enough I also had a winter fencing camp in 2022 at Kentucky. Everyone was shocked to see Massialas lose to him while up 14-10, but what makes me remember this bout so much was Massialas' father reaction, when he got up from his seat, he punched the cover where the coaches stayed behind and I was very close to it so I got jumpscared by it LOL

[@nap.of.the.earth...]

😂😂

[@rf9086]

Then Lombardi lost to 18 years old, Andrew Chen USA with 3 red cards in next DE!

[@craigvandevooren2341]

And Massialis lost to that guy!

[@rf9086]

@@craigvandevooren2341If free to cover targets, Alex can beat him easily!

[@rubenlindner434]

what did the side refs do during the bout?

[@jbond5834]

amazing work

[@user-ql5yc6dp4d]

Lombardi did the same thing over and over again. The ref didn't see it and made me so annoyed. He should've gotten at least one red card, and the ref should've paid closer attention. Massialas should've called a replay earlier in the bout. Great Job to Massialas though! - Coming from a 9 year foil fencer of USA

[@craigvandevooren2341]

You are a big-baby whiner and one of the reasons fencing is a chore to watch.

[@wilfie8374]

For me this was covering from the start (literally the first hit). Lombardi was clearly moving his head outside of it's normal plane in order to protect target. Massialas did the right thing by calling side judges (although he should have called for them sooner).

[@craigvandevooren2341]

If he does all the time - like you said - it is in his normal plane.

[@Friendguystarcraft]

@@craigvandevooren2341 you're an amateur who doesn't understand foil reffing. Please watch the Chen vs Lombardi bout and see the string of cards

[@johnrohde5510]

Well done Lombardi. He had to put up with his opponent whining throughout. Massialas was verbally coached on almost every point. Having got his hand judges, he carried on whingeing. The string of points that won the points that won the match were clean. The Italian had better form and let his opponent's nerve crack.

[@craigvandevooren2341]

"let his opponent's nerve crack" -- sure did seem that way.

[@Friendguystarcraft]

Lombardi is a cheater and a dirty fencer for parrying and covering with his mask. Massialas was correct to complain here, this was completely unfair and gave Lombardi a massive advantage. Additionally, Lombardi's 14th touch is a clear foul with the mask as he had been doing all bout.

[@craigvandevooren2341]

@@Friendguystarcraft You are a moron. Show one instance of Lombardi parrying with his mask.

[@dogestranding5047]

What about making masks valid target in foil too? Since so many mfs want to block with their faces/heads.

[@craigvandevooren2341]

How about you guys just stop being bad fencers and don't hit foil fencers in the head

[@danbanfield]

Good idea. And the arms too. Oh wait...

[@calfencer]

They can hit me on the head all they want. 🤺 Just stay off the lame. and I get right-of-way. 👌

[@ChengZhen-crazy21silva]

unbelievable refereeing......

[@paules3437]

I just wish Lombardi had found time to YELL, say, 6 times AFTER the bout was over. When did this become ok?

[@data5859]

Why not?

[@craigvandevooren2341]

@@data5859 That is worse sportsmanship than Massialas' constant whining.

[@johnrohde5510]

@@craigvandevooren2341 it followed on the constant whining and Massialas being talked through most of the points from the sidelines.

[@data5859]

@@craigvandevooren2341 Can’t a person express their excitement???

[@calfencer]

Meh. To come back w/ 5 touches to beat #5 in the world - he deserves a yell. At least he didn't scream after every touch - nobody likes those clowns. 🤡