The London 2012 Olympic silver medallist began the competition behind only Inna Deriglazova in the rankings, but had the opportunity to leapfrog her rival after the Russian was stunningly beaten in the last 64.

Japan’s Karin Miyawaki had not been expected to provide a strong challenge Deriglazova, but the 18-year-old emerged as a 13-12 winner to reach the last 32 of the competition, which took place at Shanghai’s Westgate Shopping Mall.

Errigo took full advantage of Deriglazova’s departure by storming through the rounds, with the Italian booking her place in the gold medal contest by overcoming France’s Ysaora Thibus 15-5.

The United States’ Lee Kiefer triumphed by the same score in her semi-final encounter with Italy’s Martina Batini.

Kiefer, though, could not beat Batini’s team-mate to earn the Shanghai title, as Errigo emerged as a 15-8 victor.

“I feel very good because I won this Grand Prix,” Errigo, previously a winner of the Havana and China Grand Prix’s this season, said. 

“I am happy because this day has been very, very hard for me.

“I was very focused and I am very happy because now I am number one in the rankings.”

Kiefer will take the consolation of moving above Olympic champion Elisa Di Francesca of Italy in the world rankings to lie at a career-high third.

With the Grand Prix season having drawn to a close, the European and Pan American Championships, both due take place in Toruń and Panama City later this month, will offer fencers a final chance to boost their rankings ahead of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

The men’s foil competition in Shanghai is due to take place tomorrow.