Sporting Digest: Fencing

KIRK ZAVISH beat the world individual champion, Grigory Kirienko, but could not prevent Britain losing 9-4 to Russia in the men's sabre event at the World Championships in Essen yesterday. Britain went out in the second round, having also lost 9-5 to Italy before beating Iran 9-3. In the men's foil Britain lost 9-0 to Hungary, 9-1 to Cuba and 9-4 to Belgium.

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Essen, Ger): MEN'S FOIL Final: Germany bt Italy 9-3. Bronze medal play-off: Poland bt Russia 8-7. Selected: 27 Great Britain. WOMEN'S FOIL Final: Germany bt Romania 8-8 (64 touches to 63). Bronze medal play-off: Italy bt Hungary 9-4.