The 28-year-old secured the number one ranking by triumphing at the Shanghai Grand Prix earlier this month and she was able to continue her form throughout the duration of today’s competition in Polish city.

Errigo ensured herself of a third individual European medal of her career, having previously won six golds in the team event, after overcoming France’s Ysaora Thibus 15-11.

The London 2012 Olympic silver medallist then moved into the gold medal contest for the first time by claiming a 15-10 win over Russia’s Larisa Korobeynikova.

Korobeynikova’s team-mate Aida Shanaeva would pose the threat to Errigo in the final after she defeated Germany’s Carolin Golubytskyi 15-7.

The Russian had already ended Italy’s Elisa Di Francisca hopes of becoming only the third fencer to win gold in an individual event in four consecutive years by winning their quarter-final meeting.

She proved unable to overcome another Italian opponent, with Errigo eventually edging a tightly fought final by 15-14.

After their semi-final losses, Korobeynikova and Golubytskyi secured bronze medals.

France’s Yannick Borel triumphed in the men’s epee competition after overcoming Switzerland’s Max Heinzer in the gold medal contest by 15-12.

Heinzer had also been beaten in last year’s final, with his defeat extending Switzerland’s wait for a second European fencing champion, after Olivier Carrard.

Ukraine’s Bogdan Nikishin earned the first bronze medal, having been beaten 15-8 by Borel in the semi-finals.

He was joined on the podium by France’s Jean-Michel Lucenay, who had been beaten 15-12 by Heinzer.

Tomorrow will see the women’s epee and the men’s individual sabre competitions take place.