By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
After finishing No. 19 in the world in saber fencing at the 2016 Olympics in the Rio de Janeiro Games, Sherborn native Eli Dershwitz competed in his second consecutive Olympic games throughout the last several weeks in Tokyo.
Unlike the 2016 games, friends and family of Dershwitz were unable to be accompany the 25-year-old in Tokyo due to COVID restrictions. Even without loved ones there to cheer him on, Dershwitz improved upon his personal performance by moving up 10 spots from his previous Olympic world rank. Dershwitz defeated Japan's Kaito Streets (15-9) to advance to the individual quarterfinals before falling to South Korea's Junghwan Kim. He eventually finished at No. 9 in the world.
In team fencing, Dershwitz was defeated by a total of 15-9 by Hungary's Andras Szatmari (2-5), Aron Szilagyi (5-5) and Tamas Delci (2-5) en route to a 46-35 overall quarterfinal win by Hungary over the United States. Against Iran in the classification round, Dershwitz was defeated by a total of 15-10 against Ali Pakdaman (3-5), Mohammad Fotouhi (1-5) and Mohammad Rahbari (6-5) en route to a 46-35 overall win by Iran.
Also competing alongside Dershwitz in Olympic saber-fencing was Westwood native Andrew Mackiewicz, who appeared in his first-ever Olympic games. Mackiewicz defeated Japan's Tomohiro Shimamura by a final of 15-13 in the opening round of the individual tournament before falling to South Korea's Sanguk Oh (15-7) in the round of 32.
In team competition, Mackiewicz was defeated by a total of 10-4 by Hungary's Aron Szilagyi (5-3) and Andras Szatmari (5-1) en route to a 46-35 quarterfinal victory by Hungary. Mackiewicz did not compete against Iran in the classification round.
For funny and incisive sports analysis as well as video highlights of games, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram handles @flano0.
