Seeded number nine for the tournament in Canada, the 36-year-old won 15-9 in the final against the second seed and world number two, Sergey Bida of Russia.

The updated rankings now have Bida at the top as the number one seed, Italian Andrea Santarelli, was dumped out in the round of 64 by worst seed Anatolii Herey, who made it to the last 16 of the competition.

Verwijlen, who was ranked ninth coming into the tournament, is now fifth, winning his first World Cup medal since Berne in Switzerland in November 2018. 

The Dutchman made the final after wins against Max Heinzer of Switzerland and Ukraine's Bogdan Nikishin.

Fifth seed Igor Reizlin of Ukraine was knocked out in the opening round in another upset.

This was the third of five FIE men's Épée World Cup events.

The next leg of the World Cup will take place in the Argentinian capital Buenos Aires from March 20 to 22.