Athletes of the Week: Fencers Ana Maria Branza and Tiberiu Dolniceanu

At the European Fencing Championships held in Zagreb, Croatia, Romanian athletes managed to pull a string of fine performances, which earned them numerous medals.

Steliu Lambru, 25.06.2013, 17:25

In the women’s epee singles Branza outperformed Francesca Quondamcario of Italy score 15-11. In the men’s saber finals Tiberiu Doniceanu scooped gold after easing past Aleksey Yakimenko of Russia.

For their remarkable achievements we have designated Ana Maria Branza and Tiberiu Dolniceanu Athletes of the Week on Radio Romania International.

Ana Maria Branza will turn 28 this November. She was born in Bucharest. So far Branza has an impressive record sheet. She won silver in the women’s singles at the 2008 Summer Olympics. She also scooped bronze in the women’s singles, first at the 2002 World Championships, then at the 2011 World Championships. In 2008 she won silver and in 2011 she climbed onto the third step of the podium. Along the years Ana Maria Branza has also made a valuable contribution to Romania’s epee team. Together with her teammates, Ana Maria Branza has won 2 world titles, 4 continental gold medals and two silver medals in European competitions.

Tiberiu Dolniceanu is 25 years old and was born in the northeastern city of Iasi. His career best so far was winning silver at the 2012 London Olympics with Romania’s saber team. In 2009 he won gold in the men’s team saber event at the World Championships held in Antalya, Turkey. His record sheet includes another bronze medal at the 2010 World Championships and a silver medal at the 2012 European Championships, both in the men’s team saber competitions. Last week’s gold medal marks Tiberiu Dolniceanu’s first notable achievement in men’s singles competitions.