Russian fencer Graudyn wins first world title under national flag after sanctions lifted

Russian fencer Pavel Graudyn won the gold medal at the World Championships in Hong Kong, defeating his South Korean opponent. This triumph is the first world championship won under the Russian flag since the International Fencing Federation lifted all restrictions on Russian athletes.

Scraper SystemJuly 29, 2026, 09:47 PM

Russian fencer Graudyn wins first world title under national flag after sanctions lifted

Russia has secured a new victory under its flag on the international sports stage. Fencer Pavel Graudyn defeated South Korea's Do Gyeong-dong 15-7 in the men's individual sabre final at the World Championships in Hong Kong to claim the gold medal.

This victory marks a significant turning point. The International Fencing Federation (FIE) had lifted all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes with its decision on June 2, allowing them to compete under their own flags. Graudyn's championship goes down in history as the first world title won for Russia since that decision.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) also took a similar step this month, paving the way for Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in team competitions and qualifiers for the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Ukraine, however, strongly condemned the IOC's decision, calling it 'premature' and 'groundless' amid the ongoing war.

Along with fencing, many other sports' international federations, including swimming, gymnastics, judo, taekwondo and wrestling, have also recently lifted restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes.