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Russia's Sofia Pozdniakova holds her trophy after she wins the final of the women's individual sabre at the 2018 World Fencing Championships on July 24. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] |
Russia was victorious on the sixth day of the World Fencing Championships in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu province on July 24, as its fencers claimed all three medals in the women's sabre individual event.
Sofia Pozdniakova, 21, overcome her teammate Sofya Velikaya, 33, silver medalist at the 2016 Olympic Games, to win by 15 points to 13 in the final.
"I can't believe it's me, because it’s been my dream to achieve this, "said Pozdniakova, "I just wanted to enjoy it, because I knew Velukaya is older than me. Today is my day."
Velikaya narrowly prevailed over another Russian contestant Yana Egorian by 15 points to 14 in the semi-final while Pozdniakova conquered the United States' Anne-Elizabeth Stone in the other semi-final match, with a score of 15-6.
Notably, Chinese sabre fencer Shao Yaqi advanced to the quarter-finals, the best performance thus far for China in the championships after being victorious over the world top ranked Ukraine's Olga Kharlan and Italy's Martina Criscio respectively, but failed to reach the podium, as she was beat by Pozdniakova.
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Chinese sabre fencer Shao Yaqi receives an interview after competing at the 2018 World Fencing Championships. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn] |
"I felt so depressed when the world number one got a six-point advantage over me," Shao said. "But I had no choice but to strike back, and finally I won."
Speaking of the defeat afterwards, Shao admitted that she still has many deficiencies that need to be rectified. "I shall learn the lessons from the defeat and get prepared for the team event as well as the Asian Games," She added.
Qian Jiarui, another Chinese sabre fencer, also marched into the round of 8, but was defeated by Russia's Yana Egorian.
In the men's foil, Italy's Alessio Foconi beat Richard Kruse from Britain 15-8 in the final to earn the third gold medal for Italy in the tournament.
