🇰🇷 KOREAN SABRE SQUAD CLINCHES REVENGE AND RECLAIMS ASIAN TEAM GOLD

NEW DELHI, INDIA — 23 JUNE 2026

The Korean women’s sabre giants delivered a masterclass in tactical precision on the fifth day of the 2026 Asian Fencing Championships, capturing the team gold medal. Competing at the Bharat Mandapam complex in New Delhi, World number two Korea staged a magnificent Championship run to systematically dismantle defending champions Japan 45–35 in a highly entertaining gold medal bout.

The flawless victory restores the elite Korean team to the top step of the continental podium, reclaiming the title they last won in 2023. The performance additionally preserves an extraordinary legacy of consistency, stretching Korea's uninterrupted consecutive Asian Championship podium streak in this discipline all the way back to 2005.

While Japan secured a silver medal to sustain their own elite zonal record, World number seven China bounced back from a slow start to edge Uzbekistan for the bronze medal.

Path to the Podium

Team Korea, fielding a world-class roster of Jeon Hayoung, Kim Jeongmi, Seo Jiyeon and individual Asian silver medallist Choi Sebin, opened their day with a first-round bye before steamrolling Thailand 45–19 in the quarter-finals.

The top seeds encountered zero resistance in their semi-final match against Uzbekistan. With Kim resting on the bench, the focused Korean trio effortlessly cruised to a 15–10 lead after the opening three legs. They systematically widened the gap to 30–20 after six fights. Growing increasingly dominant in the final third, the Koreans gave nothing away to run out easy 45–27 winners.

The gold medal match against Japan was a display of sheer professional management. Highly motivated to avenge last year's final defeat, the Korean lineup carefully constructed a steady 15–12 lead over the first third of the bout. They doubled that advantage to carry a comfortable 30–24 cushion into the final three legs. Fencing with absolute technical composure, the Koreans easily managed the distance to cruise over the line for a 45–35 victory. They add this continental gold to an exceptional season bag that already features a World Cup gold in Algiers alongside twin silver medals from Salt Lake City and Athens.

Team Japan, represented by global star Emura Misaki, Kaneko Yuina, Takahashi Chirika and newly crowned individual Asian Champion Sano Yui, secured a proud silver medal to celebrate their sixth consecutive continental podium appearance. Following an initial opening bye, the World number three squad comfortably defeated Singapore 45–21 in the quarter-finals.

They booked their place in the final after surviving a major semi-final scare against China. The Chinese athletes surprised Japan right out of the blocks, manufacturing a quick 15–12 lead across the first three legs before stretching that advantage to 25–20. Japan's coaching staff reacted instantly by unleashing two-time World Champion Emura in the sixth leg. Emura turned the entire arena upside down, producing an astonishing 10–3 leg against Pan Qimiao to vault Japan into a 30–28 lead. The re-energised Japanese squad made no mistake across the remaining fights, running out 45–38 winners to follow up on their World Cup bronzes from Tashkent and Athens.

Team China, utilising a competitive roster of Rao Xueyi, Pan Qimiao, Wei Jiayi and Zhang Xinyi, celebrated a welcome return to the medal circle after finishing fourth last year. The 2024 champions opened with a hard-fought 45–42 quarter-final win over Hong Kong before their semi-final stumble against Japan.

In the bronze medal match, the Chinese lineup fought back from an early deficit to defeat Uzbekistan 45–38. The Uzbeks had seized a 15–12 advantage after the first three legs, largely due to a spectacular 7–2 leg from Luisa Fernando Herrera Lara against Zhang. China adapted instantly, subbing in Wei for Zhang to stabilize the situation. The tactical maneuver worked flawlessly. China initiated a brilliant mid-match run to command a 30–25 cushion heading into the final third, successfully protecting the lead to add an Asian bronze to the bronze medal they captured at the Salt Lake City World Cup earlier in the season.

Team Uzbekistan, consisting of Zaynab Dayibekova, Luisa Fernando Herrera Lara, Gulistan Perdebaeva and Ayakoz Jumamurtova, suffered ultimate heartbreak to finish in fourth place for the second consecutive year. The World number 15 squad looked formidable early in the day, blasting past Kazakhstan 45–24 but they remain empty-handed as they continue their quest for a historic maiden women's team sabre podium at this event.

Full results are here.