Team Ukraine celebrate victory after the women's sabre team gold medal match of fencing between Ukrain and South Korea at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
PARIS, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine came from behind to beat South Korea in the fencing women's sabre team final, clinching the country's first gold at the Paris Olympic Games on Saturday.
Olga Kharlan was no doubt the star of the night, coming into the final with a bronze from the individual event on Monday. The five-time Olympian put Ukraine ahead after the first bout, but the South Koreans then overcame a slow start to take the lead.
Entering the final bout with a three-point disadvantage, Kharlan held off the nerves to outscore Jeon Ha-young 8-2 en route to a 45-42 victory. The 33-year-old Ukrainian now has six Olympic medals under her name, including two team golds, one team silver, and three individual bronzes.
"We still don't believe that we've made it. I'd like to thank Ukraine for their huge support there and here," said Kharlan.
Led by Misaki Emura, Japan defeated France, silver medalist from Tokyo 2020, 45-40 in the bronze medal match to clinch its maiden women's sabre team medal at the Olympics.
"I'm really happy because (of) all the supporters who supported me until now, and because the French team was so strong and competitive," said Emura. "I was having a hard time to be really strong at the Olympics this time. But because I have my teammates, I was able to win with their heart and support."
The men's foil team event will wrap up the fencing competition in Paris on Sunday. ■
Gold medalists team Ukraine kiss their medals during the victory ceremony for the women's sabre team of fencing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)
Gold medalists team Ukraine celebrate after the victory ceremony for the women's sabre team of fencing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
Olga Kharlan of Ukraine celebrates after defeating Jeon Hayoung of South Korea during the women's sabre team gold medal match of fencing between Ukrain and South Korea at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)
Gold medalists team Ukraine (C), silver medalists team South Korea (L) and bronze medalists team Japan react during the victory ceremony for the women's sabre team of fencing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
Silver medalists team South Korea react during the victory ceremony for the women's sabre team of fencing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)
Team South Korea celebrate victory after the women's sabre team semifinal 1 of fencing between South Korea and France at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
Team Japan celebrate victory after the women's sabre team bronze medal match of fencing between France and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Hongxiang)
Team Japan celebrate victory after the women's sabre team bronze medal match of fencing between France and Japan at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France, Aug. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
