Friend is mightier than sword

Japan's Emura Misaki of Asia-Oceania Team One celebrates with teammates after her victory, which helped the team win the mixed continental team title on Aug 20 at the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games. [Photo/Xinhua]

When the six young fencers of Asia-Oceania Team One stepped onto the top podium hand in hand in their respective uniforms of Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea under the Olympic flag, the venue erupted with thunderous cheers.

More than 1,000 fans stood and applauded the emotional scene on Wednesday afternoon, which perfectly demonstrated the Olympic spirit of uniting the world through sports.

As one of the Youth Olympics' initiatives to encourage exchange and unity, the fencing mixed continental team competition featured six fencers, three males and three females, fighting in their own category of swords.

Compared to the Olympic team event, the YOG brings fencers together from different National Olympic Committees based on individual rankings.

After six thrilling fights, Asia-Oceania Team One claimed the gold in a dramatic 30-26 comeback victory over Europe Team One, made up of fencers from Hungary, Poland, Russia and Italy.

Regardless of the result, fencers on both teams hailed the event as an ice-breaking tool to build communication and trust with each other despite their different cultural backgrounds.

"It feels wonderful to play with teammates from other countries," Hong Kong male fencer Choi Chun-yin said after beating Polish opponent Andrzej Rzadkowski, 7-5, in their foil bout..

"However, there was pressure as I had no idea how my teammates would perform and we had to make up points lost by others in their fights. But this is about teamwork and that is what this event promotes," said the 16-year-old.

Patrik Esztergalyos, the men's epee individual gold medalist from the Europe team, said "the mixed nationality event taught us how to build teamwork with new teammates".

Asia-Oceania's victory proved again that, collectively, a champion team will always beat a team of champions.

The Europe team boasted four gold medal winners in the individual categories but still lost to the Asia-Oceania squad, which had three individual runner-ups.

The Asia-Oceania team trailed 4-1 after the men's epee and women's foil bouts. South Korean Kim Dong-ju managed to beat Russian Ivan Ilin, who claimed the gold medal in men's sabre over him, registering 14 touches to Ilin's 10 to pull the Asia-Oceania team ahead 15-14.

The Asia-Oceania team cheered after each point in different languages.

Choi, who was beaten by his Polish rival in the individual foil the previous night, followed up by winning his bout with seven touches and raised the total score to 25-21, providing Japanese teammate Emura Misaki with a comfortable buffer for the final bout.

"I felt like I took my revenge," Choi said excitedly. "Actually, I thought I might be better than him (in the individual event) but I failed to grasp the chance yesterday. Today's result proved that I can beat him and I am capable of being a champion."

After the medal ceremony, all 18 fencers posed for a colorful group photo featuring different uniforms but the same grinning faces.

The Japanese team coach, Yusuke Aoki, said the mixed event also offered more opportunities for coaching exchanges between Asia and Europe.

Zhong Man, the 2008 Beijing Olympics men's individual sabre champion, is already a fan of the innovative format.

"It's a fresh, new initiative and it is entertaining to watch," said the 31-year-old Jiangsu native. "It helps promote friendship among different countries and continents and lets the athletes know that winning is not everything."