Chen Qingyuan (L) of China competes with Azuma Sera of Japan during the women's foil individual final in Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province on June 18, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)
Host China took the women's foil individual gold and bronze as well as the men's sabre individual silver on Day 2 of the Asian Fencing Championships.
WUXI, China, June 18 (Xinhua) -- China's Chen Qingyuan and Shi Yue claimed the women's foil individual gold and bronze medals respectively on Day 2 of the 2023 Asian Fencing Championships here on Sunday, while Yu Lefan added a silver in the men's sabre individual.
Being top two in last year's championships, Shi and Chen, made it to the last eight along with their teammate, Fu Yiting. Shi rallied to edge past Japan's Karin Miyawaki by a single point, but succumbed to Japan's Sera Azuma. Azuma subsequently faced Chen in the final after Chen's effortless win against Fu.
Chen Qingyuan (L) of China celebrates winning the women's foil individual final of Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province on June 18, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)
Chen started the final strong, extending her lead with a 6-0 run in the second set. Although Azuma narrowed the gap to two points, Chen managed to withstand the late surge, ultimately triumphing with a score of 15-12.
"I was well-prepared for Azuma and didn't let her dictate the pace," Chen said post-match. "Today's gold is also a source of relief and encouragement for me, as I have been having a rough time lately."
Yu, 24, who had achieved his best international result as a 10th-place finish at the World Cup in Heidenheim, Germany in February of this year, advanced into the men's sabre individual final, after beating last year's silver medalist, Akira Komata of Japan, by a score of 12-11.
Yu Lefan (L) of China competes with Kano Koki of Japan during the men's epee individual final of Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province on June 18, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)
Against world No. 1 and last year's gold medalist, Koki Kano of Japan, Yu struggled to find an effective scoring strategy and eventually lost 15-10, settling for silver.
"I experimented with some new techniques and moves," Yu said, scoring himself 85 points for his performance. "I plan to continue working on the new elements."
China is currently at the top of the medal tally, with one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals. The women's sabre and men's foil events will take place on Monday, concluding the individual contests. The team events are scheduled for June 20-22. ■
