By Daniel Etchells

The International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation Fencing Grand Prix took place in Hong Kong ©HKPC&SAPDGermany's Simone Briese-Baetke claimed her eighth title of a remarkable year in the women's category B epee event at the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) Fencing Grand Prix in Hong Kong.

The world number one, who triumphed in the same category at the European Championships in June, was made to work for her victory against China's Jing Jing Zhou in the final, but prevailed 15-13.

The win firmly cements the London 2012 silver medallist's place at the top of the women's sport. 

Beatrice Vio, the 17-year-old Italian, beat China's London 2012 gold medallist Fang Yao in the final of the equivalent foil event.

Vio, the only wheelchair fencer in the world with no arms or legs, has juggled her sporting career with studying a course in graphic arts and communication.

Despite missing the start of the season to focus on her studies, the teenager, affectionately known by her fans as "Bebe", cruised to a 15-6 win.

Italy's Beatrice Vio (centre, left) triumphed in the women's category B foil event ©HKPC&SAPDItaly's Beatrice Vio (centre, left) triumphed in the women's category B foil event ©HKPC&SAPD



Great Britain's Piers Gilliver capped a great year by winning the men's category A epee competition.

Gilliver was part of the British team that recorded their best ever medal haul at a World Cup in Lonato, Italy, in May, securing a silver medal in the men's category A foil event.

China's Jian Quan Tian, winner of the event for the past two years, fell victim to the Briton in the semi-final, before Gang Sun, also of China, lost out 15-12 in the gold medal match.

Gang beat compatriot Yijun Chen 15-12 to go one better in the men's category A foil event final, while fellow countryman and reigning Paralympic champion, Ruyi Ye, shared third place with Poland's Dariusz Pender.

In the equivalent women's event, China's Jing Rong, the London 2012 Paralympic gold medallist, defeated teammates Xu Feng Zou and Jing Bian in the semi-finals and final respectively.

China also dominated the team events beating Poland 45-24 in the men's foil discipline and Russia 45-36 in the women's epee competition.

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