🇰🇿 BAKALDINA STUNS ASIA TO SEIZE MIRACLE EPEE GOLD IN NEW DELHI

NEW DELHI, INDIA — 21 JUNE 2026

Kazakhstan’s World number 159 Irina Bakaldina authored one of the greatest underdog stories in modern fencing history on the third day of the 2026 Asian Fencing Championships, capturing the women’s individual epee title. Competing in New Delhi, the unheralded Kazakh outsider completed a flawless tournament campaign, upsetting several global heavyweights before defeating Hong Kong's Hsieh Kaylin 15–12 in a dramatic gold medal bout.

The staggering victory secures Bakaldina her first ever senior international medal, cementing her status as the ultimate surprise package of the continental cycle.

While Hsieh claimed a hard-earned silver medal to pick up her first international individual podium of the season, Korea’s global icon Song Sera and Japan's Terayama Tamaki walked away with the individual bronze medals.

Path to the Podium

Irina Bakaldina (World number 159) set an incredibly high standard in the morning session, sweeping all six of her poule matches to enter the direct elimination draw as the high-flying number two seed. Fencing with absolute clarity, she opened her knockout account by defeating compatriot Vladislava Samodelkina 15–9 before dispatching Hong Kong’s Chu Ka Mong 15–9 in the last 16. Bakaldina secured her podium berth by fighting past China's Yang 15–12 in the quarter-finals, then produced a breathtaking 15–7 semi-final demolition of reigning champion Song before outlasting Hsieh to take the crown.

Hsieh Kaylin (World number 17) put together a phenomenal, high-class run to the final to capture a well-deserved silver medal. The 2018 and 2025 Asian individual bronze medallist matched Bakaldina by storming through her poule 6–0 to lock down the number five seed. Following an opening bye, Hsieh systematically dismantled Singapore's World number 41 Kiria Tikanah Abdul Rahman 15–12, edged past China's World number 19 Tang Xia 15–13 and defeated Korea's World number 34 Lee Sinhee 15–11 in the quarter-finals. Hsieh secured her final berth by defeating Terayama 15–13 in an intense semi-final fight but ultimately ran out of answers against the inspired Bakaldina.

Song Sera (World number three) guaranteed her return to the continental podium by claiming a bronze medal, matching her exact result from the 2024 edition of the tournament. The reigning Asian Champion and 2022 World Champion looked completely unstoppable in the early rounds after entering as the 11th seed. Song routinely crushed Kuwait's Alrefae 15–5, Japan's No Miho 15–8 and Japan's Yoshimura Miho 15–11. She booked her semi-final slot with a masterclass 15–8 quarter-final victory over China's Liu but her quest for a title defence was abruptly shattered by Bakaldina.

Terayama Tamaki (World number 69) celebrated an exceptional career milestone, navigating a difficult path to secure her first ever senior individual international podium. Seeded 16th after winning four of her five poule matches, the Japanese talent launched her elimination campaign by routing Vietnam's T.V. Nguyen 15–5 before turning aside Hong Kong's World number 50 Chan Wai Ling 15–11. Terayama earned a hard-fought 15–13 win over Chinese Taipei's Hung in the round of 16, then guaranteed her historic bronze medal with a commanding 15–8 quarter-final victory over her international teammate Kishimoto.

Full results here.