Olympic champion Koki Kano won the men's épée title today ©FIE

Koki Kano of Japan was victorious in the men's épée at the International Fencing Federation (FIE) World Cup in Heidenheim, Germany.

The 2020 Olympic Games gold medallist edged past Alexis Bayard of Switzerland 15-9 in the final.

Bayard achieved his first ever medal in the World Cup.

Kazakhstan's Ruslan Kubaranov and Yulen Pereira of Spain finished third.

Koki Kano defeated Alexis Bayard to secure his first World Cup title ©FIE
Koki Kano defeated Alexis Bayard to secure his first World Cup title ©FIE

Kubaranov lost to the champion Kano 15-10 as he earned his second World Cup bronze medal, while also having a silver medal to his name.

Pereira lost to Bayard 15-9, earning his first medal at the World Cup.

Competitors now look forward to the Westend Grand Prix, which will be starting in Budapest on March 10.