GB's Coutya wins birthday European Para-fencing gold

Dimitri Coutya who has a full beard and wearing a white GBR Fencing kit is smiling as he sits on the piste after a victory over Italy, with the scoreboard behind him.British Fencing

Dimitri Coutya claimed the 90th medal of his career

Izemrasen Alahyan
BBC Sport Wales

Dimitri Coutya celebrated his 29th birthday by claiming Team GB's first gold medal at the 2026 Para-fencing European Championships.

Coutya claimed the 90th medal of a glittering career after beating Italy's Amelio Castro in a close-fought encounter.

The men's epee category B match went two rounds with Coutya edging Castro 15-12 in Cardiff.

"Yes it ended with a win but I could fence a lot better than that," he said.

"My performance was good, up until the second half of that match, where I lost my head quite a lot.

"I could see what he was doing but couldn't bring myself to figure out the solution."

From left to right, a British Fencing executive committee member stands beside four wheelchair fencing medallists and the World Abilitysport President during a medal ceremony at the Para Fencing European Championships. Silver medallist Nadia Doloh of Ukraine wears a yellow team jacket and blue trousers while holding her medal and event mascot. Gold medallist Ionela Andreea Mogos of Italy wears a navy Italian team tracksuit and holds her gold medal and mascot. Bronze medallist Viktoriia Boykova, competing as a neutral athlete, wears a black tracksuit and displays her medal. Justine Moore of Great Britain sits alongside wearing a navy GB team tracksuit and orange trainers, holding a bronze medal and mascot. At the far right, the World Abilitysport President sits in a wheelchair wearing a tan blazer, red tie and glasses. Championship branding and a large image of a Team GB fencing mask form the backdrop.British Fencing

Team GB have won 10 medals in the opening two days of the event in Cardiff

Justine Moore also reached the podium for Team GB, securing her third bronze medal of the competition.

Moore reached the semi-final where she was beaten 15-4 by eventual champion Ionela Andrea Mogos of Italy.

Ukraine's Nadia Doloh claimed silver while neutral athlete Viktoriia Boykova shared bronze with Moore.

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