Nick Itkin led the United States' medal charge ©FIE

Italy had to settle for silver in both the men’s and women’s finals of the under-20 foil competitions at the Junior and Cadets World Fencing Championships at the Cattolica Center in Verona.

Martina Favaretto was agonisingly close to securing the women's title in front of her home crowd, but Japan's Yuka Ueno eventually came out on top by a close 15-14 scoreline.

Lauren Scruggs of the United States and France's Eva Lacheray shared the bronze medals.

Japan's Yuka Ueno, pictured, beat Italy's Martina Favaretto in a very close final ©FIE
Japan's Yuka Ueno, pictured, beat Italy's Martina Favaretto in a very close final ©FIE

In the men’s event, Italy's Tommaso Marini lost to Nick Itkin of the US by a 15-11 scoreline.

Sidarth Kumbla made sure America went home with three medals as he shared the bronze with Grigoriy Semenyuk of Russia.

More than 1,250 young fencers have descended on Verona for the International Fencing Federation event.

The event is due to continue tomorrow with titles in the men's and women's under-17 foil to be decided.