🇭🇺 HUNGARY STAVE OFF CHINA TO CLAIM DRAMATIC WOMEN'S TEAM SABRE WORLD TITLE

HONG KONG — 29 JULY 2026

World number four Hungary captured a magnificent World title in the women’s team sabre event on the eighth day of the 2026 World Championships. Competing at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, the Hungarian squad showcased exceptional composure and tactical depth to defeat a determined China team 45–41 in a high-octane gold medal showdown.

The victory caps a remarkable Championship campaign for the Hungarians, who survived an agonizing 45–44 semi-final thriller against top-ranked France before holding their nerve in the final.

While China took home a well deserved silver medal after an impressive tournament path, World number one France recovered from their semi-final heartbreak to capture bronze, leaving the United States in fourth place.

Path to the Podium

Team Hungary, represented by individual bronze medallist Sugar Battai, Anna Spiesz, Luca Szucs and Renata Katona, opened their day with a bye before comfortably dispatching Azerbaijan 45–32. They booked their semi-final slot by turning aside World number five Japan 45–36.

In the semi-finals against France, Hungary engaged in an absolute classic. The Hungarians edged a tight opening third to lead 15–14 before Manon Apithy and Sara Balzer fought back to push France ahead 25–23 after five bouts. Battai responded with a brilliant 7–3 run against Sarah Noutcha to vault Hungary back in front 30–28 and Spiesz widened the margin to 35–32. Noutcha rallied for France in the eighth fight to hand the top seeds a 40–39 edge going into the final leg but Battai turned the match around one last time to lock down a thrilling 45–44 win.

The gold medal match against China began with an immediate burst of drama. China raced out to a 10–3 lead before Szucs entered for Hungary, executing a phenomenal 12–3 scoring blitz against Zhang Xinyi to put Hungary ahead 15–13 after three legs. The Hungarian squad edged the middle bouts to lead 30–28 after six and remained totally solid through the final relays to wrap up the 45–41 victory.

Team China, featuring Pan Qimiao, Rao Xueyi, Wei Jiayi and Zhang Xinyi, put together an outstanding tournament run to secure silver. Seeded seventh, the Chinese team defeated Thailand 45–21, Bulgaria 45–33 and pulled off a major 45–41 quarter-final upset over World number two Korea.

In the semi-finals against the United States, China dominated the opening three legs to establish a swift 15–5 advantage. Maia Chamberlain tried to spark an American comeback in the sixth bout with a 12–5 run against Pan but China still held a 30–28 lead entering the final third. The Chinese trio managed the distance brilliantly to secure a comfortable 45–36 win and a place in the gold medal bout.

Team France, fielding Manon Apithy, individual silver medallist Sara Balzer, Sarah Noutcha and individual bronze medallist Toscane Tori, bounced back from their semi-final heartbreak to capture the bronze medal. Top-seeded France survived consecutive nail-biters early in the day, defeating Hong Kong 45–43 and Italy 45–44.

Following their single-touch loss to Hungary, the French athletes charged out to a 15–5 lead after three legs against the USA. Siobhan Sullivan briefly turned the match around for the Americans with a 14–5 bout against Tori but Balzer and Noutcha re-established control to push France ahead 30–22. Despite substitute Apithy being tested by Sophie Liu, Balzer and Noutcha closed out the match to secure a 45–40 victory and a spot on the podium.

Team United States, consisting of Maia Chamberlain, Sophie Liu, Lola Possick and Siobhan Sullivan, finished fourth after an extraordinary effort. Seeded sixth, the Americans advanced past the Philippines 45–25, Germany 45–42 and Ukraine 45–44 before falling in the medal rounds to China and France.

Full results are here.