BUDAPEST, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Traditional powerhouse France defeated Romania 45-34 in the final to claim the team title at the Budapest leg of the 2025-26 FIE men's sabre World Cup season, which concluded on Sunday.
Following two days of individual competition, the team event featured 24 teams.
In the semifinals, France edged Paris Olympic champion South Korea 45-41, while Romania beat the United States 45-34 to set up the final.
In the title bout, France built an advantage in the third leg but saw Romania fight back strongly in the fourth before regaining control to seal the 45-34 victory.
South Korea defeated the United States 45-26 to take bronze.
Top-ranked Hungary, the Olympic and world silver medalist, was narrowly beaten 45-44 by 17th-ranked Spain, while defending world champion Italy lost 45-41 to Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) in the round of 16.
China, represented by Luo Shaotong, Shen Chenpeng, Wei Zhenhao and Lin Xiao, lost to Egypt and failed to reach the quarterfinals.
With the Budapest leg concluded, the next stop on the circuit will take place in Padua, Italy, from April 17 to 19, followed by the fifth and final leg in Cairo, Egypt, from May 22 to 24. ■
