Italy's Alessio Foconi overcame the United States' Alexander Massialas to secure the men’s individual title at the FIE Turin Foil Grand Prix ©FIE/Facebook/Augusto Bizzi

Alessio Foconi gave the home fans plenty of reason for cheer at the International Fencing Federation (FIE) Turin Foil Grand Prix as the Italian overcame the United States’ Alexander Massialas to secure the men’s individual title at the Palasport Ruffini.

The European Games champion registered a surprise 15-7 win over world number one Massialas, the Rio 2016 silver medallist.

He had earlier claimed a 15-9 semi-final win over France’s Enzo Lefort, who eliminated Olympic champion and home favourite Daniele Garozzo in the last 16.

Foconi dedicated his maiden FIE Grand Prix win, which came courtesy of his first-ever victory over Massialas, to the victims of October's earthquake in the Italian region of Umbria.

"I wanted to win because I’ve never won a Grand Prix," added the 27-year-old, who moves up nine places to number 10 in the world rankings.

"My best result was a second place in Cairo, so I’m very happy."

Lefort was joined on the third step of the podium by South Korea’s Kim Hyogon after he lost the other last-four encounter to Massialas, 15-6. 

The United States' Alexander Massialas had to settle for the runners-up spot ©FIE/Facebook/Augusto Bizzi
The United States' Alexander Massialas had to settle for the runners-up spot ©FIE/Facebook/Augusto Bizzi

The FIE Grand Prix series features three events in each of the three weapons, foil, épée and sabre, and visits nine iconic cities around the world.

It is next due to stop in Qatar’s capital Doha for the épée from December 9 to 11 and Mexican city Cancún for sabre from December 16 to 18.

Other than the Olympics and Fencing World Championships, the Grand Prix is the most valuable event on the FIE calendar in terms of ranking points.