Amira Ben Chaabane won the African women's sabre title as Azza Besbes' run ended ©Getty Images

Azza Besbes' run of eight women's sabre titles in a row at the African Fencing Championships was brought to an end as her compatriot Amira Ben Chaabane instead struck gold in Bamako.

Besbes had won every bout she faced at the event since 2011 and was hoping to clinch an 11th title in all in Mali's capital.

The winning streak of the world number 29, the best-ranked fencer in the draw who won a World Championship silver medal in Leipzig in 2017, was ended as she lost to Egypt's Nada Hafez 15-14 in the quarter-finals.

Ben Chaabane took advantage as the world number 70 won a second African crown and her first since 2010.

She beat Nour Montaser of Egypt 15-7 in the final after edging another Egyptian in Lina Mohamed 15-14 in the last four.

Montaser knocked out Hafez 15-11 in her semi-final.

Azza Besbes had won eight African titles in a row ©Getty Images
Azza Besbes had won eight African titles in a row ©Getty Images

The gold medal is Tunisia's second in the first two days of the Championships after Besbes' sister Sarra won a ninth African title in the women's épée yesterday.

Morocco's Houssam Elkord defended his men's épée title today as the competition went to form.

The world number 29 was the best-ranked fencer in the field and ultimately proved too strong for his rivals as he claimed the crown for a second time.

Elkord saw off Egypt's Ahmed Elsaghir 15-13 in the gold medal contest at the Palais des sports Salamata.

He battled past another Egyptian in the semi-finals, defeating Ahmed Elsayed 15-9.

Elsaghir beat compatriot Mahmoud Mohsen 15-10 in his last four bout as Egyptians dominated the semi-final line-ups.

Competition continues tomorrow with the men's sabre and women's foil.