Cosmin Hănceanu (born on 26 July 1986) is a Romanian sabre fencer, team world champion in 2009. He won the bronze medal in the 2010 World Fencing Championships.

Cosmin Hănceanu
Born (1986-07-26) 26 July 1986 (age 37)
Iași, Romania
Sport
CountryRomania
SportFencing
WeaponSabre
Handright-handed
National coachMihai Covaliu
ClubCSA Steaua București
Assistant coachDan Găureanu
Former coachIulian Bițucă
Retired2012
FIE rankingranking (archive)
Medal record
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2009 Antalya Team sabre
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Paris Sabre
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Paris Team sabre
European Championships
Silver medal – second place 2009 Plovdiv Team sabre

Career edit

Hănceanu began fencing at age ten at his local club, CSM Iași, with Iulian Bițucă as coach.[1] He later transferred to CSA Steaua in Bucharest.

Hănceanu joined Florin Zalomir, Tiberiu Dolniceanu and Rareș Dumitrescu in the national team. In the 2008–09 season, Romania won a silver medal in the European Championships at Plovdiv. In the World Championships in Antalya, Romania defeated Germany, then France and Hungary. In the final they met Italy again and this time prevailed 45–44 to take the first World title in sabre for Romania.[2] For this performance, Hănceanu and his team-mates received the Order of Sports Merit, class IIa.[3]

In the 2010 World Fencing Championships, Hănceanu started the competition 53rd in world rankings. He created an upset by making his way to the quarter-finals, where he defeated 15–13 Russia's Aleksey Yakimenko. He was beaten 15–10 in the semi-final by Won Woo-young of South Korea and came away with a bronze medal.[4] In the team event, Romania were beaten 45-32 by Russia in the semi-final, then defeated Belarus 45–41 in the match for the third place.

Hănceanu was set to take part to the 2012 Summer Olympics in London,[5] but Dolniceanu was substituted at the last minute. Hănceanu retired and became a coach at CSA Steaua.

References edit

  1. ^ Mirela Basescu (8 November 2010). "Straie de bronz! D'Artagnan din Iaşi". ProSport.
  2. ^ Gazeta Sporturilor, ed. (8 October 2009). "România a cucerit aurul mondial la sabie după un ultim asalt dramatic!".
  3. ^ Romanian Chamber of Deputies (ed.). "Decret nr.1.501 din 20 octombrie 2009 privind conferirea unor decorații".
  4. ^ Mirela Neag (7 November 2010). "Hănceanu? Touché!". Gazeta Sporturilor.
  5. ^ Libertatea, ed. (3 July 2012). "Ei ne vor reprezenta la Jocurile Olimpice de la Londra!".

External links edit