1. Overview
Matteo Tagliariol (born January 7, 1983) is an Italian right-handed épée fencer. He is widely recognized for his significant achievements in the sport, including an Olympic gold medal in the individual épée event and a bronze medal in the team épée event at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Tagliariol has also earned two silver medals at the World Fencing Championships and has been a consistent medalist in various other international competitions such as the European Fencing Championships, FIE Grand Prix, and FIE World Cup series. His fencing style is characterized by its technical precision, simplicity, spontaneity, and clear-sighted, efficient execution.
2. Early Life and Background
Matteo Tagliariol was born on January 7, 1983, in Treviso, Italy. He stands at 6.2 ft (1.88 m) (6 feet 2 inches) and weighs 172 lb (78 kg) (172 pounds). Tagliariol competes as a right-handed épée fencer, a discipline he would later dominate at the highest levels of international competition. His national coach was Sandro Cuomo, and his head coach was Enrico Nicolini. He competed for the club Aeronautica Militare.
3. Fencing Career
Matteo Tagliariol's professional fencing career is marked by numerous medal-winning performances across various international circuits, including the Olympic Games, World Championships, European Championships, Grand Prix, World Cup, and Satellite competitions. He has competed extensively, building a strong record against many notable fencers.
3.1. Major Tournament Results
Tagliariol has achieved significant success in major international fencing tournaments, consistently earning medals and high rankings in both individual and team épée events.
3.1.1. Olympic Games
Tagliariol's performance at the Olympic Games represents the pinnacle of his career.
3.1.2. World Championships
He has earned two silver medals at the World Fencing Championships, demonstrating his skill on the global stage.
3.1.3. European Championships
Tagliariol's achievements at the European Fencing Championships include both silver and bronze medals.
3.1.4. Grand Prix
He has secured multiple medals, including two gold and three bronze, in the FIE Grand Prix series.
3.1.5. World Cup
Tagliariol has a strong record in the FIE World Cup series, collecting three gold, two silver, and four bronze medals.
| Date | Location | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-02-02 | Legnano, Italy | Individual Men's Épée | 2nd |
| 2007-03-03 | Bern, Switzerland | Individual Men's Épée | 3rd |
| 2007-06-08 | Caguas, Puerto Rico | Individual Men's Épée | 3rd |
| 2008-02-16 | Tallinn, Estonia | Individual Men's Épée | 1st |
| 2008-03-01 | Bern, Switzerland | Individual Men's Épée | 1st |
| 2010-05-07 | Paris, France | Individual Men's Épée | 3rd |
| 2011-01-14 | Legnano, Italy | Individual Men's Épée | 2nd |
| 2011-03-18 | Paris, France | Individual Men's Épée | 1st |
| 2011-04-29 | Heidenheim, Germany | Individual Men's Épée | 3rd |
3.1.6. Satellite Competitions
He has also achieved a gold medal in FIE Satellite competitions.
| Date | Location | Event | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-05-14 | Split, Croatia | Individual Men's Épée | 1st |
3.2. Record Against Selected Opponents
Matteo Tagliariol's head-to-head records against selected notable opponents (those who have reached the quarterfinals at the World Championships or Olympic Games, or medaled in major team competitions) from 2006 to the present are as follows:
- José Luis Abajo 2-0
- Silvio Fernández 3-1
- Stefano Carozzo 3-0
- Marcel Fischer 2-0
- Géza Imre 0-1
- Jérôme Jeannet 1-2
- Radosław Zawrotniak 1-0
- Dmytro Chumak 2-0
- Diego Confalonieri 0-1
- Weston Kelsey 1-0
- Maksym Khvorost 1-0
- Krisztián Kulcsár 1-0
- Alfredo Rota 1-1
- Wang Lei 1-0
- Anton Avdeev 0-1
- Sturla Torkildsen 2-0
- Bas Verwijlen 1-0
- Joaquim Videira 1-0
- Gábor Boczkó 1-0
- Martin Schmitt 0-1
3.3. Fencing Style
Matteo Tagliariol's fencing style has been described by experts as "technical, simple, spontaneous, clear-sighted, inspired and efficient." This approach highlights his ability to combine precise technique with natural instinct, leading to effective and decisive actions on the fencing strip.
4. Awards and Honors
In recognition of his outstanding sporting achievements, Matteo Tagliariol has received several prestigious awards and decorations.
- Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (awarded September 1, 2008)
- Gold Medal of Athletic Valor (awarded December 17, 2008)
5. Legacy and Assessment
Matteo Tagliariol's career stands as a testament to his dedication and skill in the sport of fencing. His legacy is firmly established through his remarkable achievements on the international stage, particularly his Olympic success.
5.1. Positive Assessment
Tagliariol is positively appraised for his singular achievement of winning an Olympic gold medal in individual épée, a highlight of his career that places him among the elite fencers in Italian history. His consistent medal-winning performances at World Championships and various Grand Prix and World Cup events demonstrate sustained excellence over many years. Beyond the medals, his distinctive "technical, simple, spontaneous, clear-sighted, inspired and efficient" fencing style is often lauded as a model of effective and adaptable fencing. His contributions have not only brought significant honors to Italy but also served as an inspiration for aspiring fencers, showcasing the rewards of dedication, strategic thinking, and technical mastery in the sport.
6. External links
- [https://fie.org/athletes/4701 Matteo Tagliariol at FIE]
- [https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/118208 Matteo Tagliariol at Olympedia]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20171101000000/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/ta/matteo-tagliariol-1.html Matteo Tagliariol at Sports Reference (archived)]