Kalina Atanasova (pictured) and Emma Neykova ranked seventh and eighth respectively at the sabre fencing World Cup tournament for girls in Almaty (Kazakhstan), BTA reports. The two Bulgarians proved their high class and continued their victories on the trails, after last year they became European champions for women under 23 in the team together with Yoana Ilieva and Beloslava Ivanova, and Emma Neykova lifted the cup at the European Championship for girls. So, after their excellent performance in Uzbekistan next week, the two will climb the world rankings significantly.
In Tashkent, 46 female sabre fencers from 10 countries competed for medals, and Bulgaria was represented by Kalina Atanasova, Emma Neykova and Vasilena Krasteva.
Kalina Atanasova emerged from the groups with five wins from five matches. In the eliminations, the graduate of the Svechnikov fencing club prevailed over Bibiaisha Kusanboeva from Uzbekistan with 15:4. In the match for a place among the top 8, the sabre fencer prevailed over Yeva Ahamian from Georgia with 15:13. In the match for a place in the semifinals, Atanasova lost to Samira Shokirova from Uzbekistan with 7:15 and came seventh.
Emma Neykova also started strongly in the groups with five wins from six matches. In the eliminations, the graduate of the Svechnikov fencing club eliminated Aiganim Kakenova from Uzbekistan with 15:5, and for a place among the top 8, the fencer prevailed over her teammate Vasilena Krasteva with 15:10. In the duel for a place in the top 4, Neykova lost to Gulistan Perdibayeva from Uzbekistan, who won the gold medal in the tournament, with 13:15 and ranked eighth.
Vasilena Krasteva finished the competition in 11th position.