On Day 4 of the Asian Senior Fencing Championships at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the competition shifted to team events with the Women's Foil and Men's Sabre categories. South Korea and Japan continued their fierce rivalry for continental supremacy, delivering intense displays of tactical depth and explosive speed on the piste.
Men's Sabre Team: South Korea Dominates Japan
In the Men's Sabre Team event, South Korea—led by individual gold medalist Oh Sang-uk and defending champion Do Gyeong-dong—put on a masterclass to defeat Japan in a thrilling final. The South Korean squad showcased exceptional coordination and precision, overcoming a strong Japanese challenge to claim the gold medal.
Oh Sang-uk, who earlier won individual gold, continued his stellar form, while Do Gyeong-dong added to his reputation as a top-tier fencer. Their combined efforts proved too much for Japan, which settled for silver.
Women's Foil Team: Japan Strikes Back
Japan countered South Korea's dominance in the Women's Foil Team event, where individual champion Yuka Ueno led her squad to a gold medal finish over the South Koreans after a display of flawless blade work. The Japanese team demonstrated superior technique and teamwork, edging out the Korean fencers in a closely contested match.
Ueno's leadership and consistency were key factors in Japan's victory, as she inspired her teammates to execute sharp tactical adjustments throughout the competition.
Indian Teams Show Grit, Finish 10th
Playing on home pistes, the Indian teams showcased remarkable grit and resilience against Olympic-level rosters, ultimately securing a hard-fought 10th-place finish overall. In the Men's Sabre Team event, the Indian squad comprising Vishal Thapar, Karan Singh, Gisho Nidhi Kumaresan Padma, and Lakshay Badser fought aggressively in the initial rounds, riding high on the momentum of placing three fencers in the top 32 earlier in the week.
Although they were halted in the quarterfinals by a deeply experienced Chinese squad, the team's talent was on full display. Notably, Karan Singh showed incredible promise by stringing together quick touches using his trademark explosive off-the-line speed, proving that the Indian contingent can match the pace of the world's best.
The young Indian women's squad, featuring Kanupriya Chawla, Joys Ashitha Stalinraj, Naorem Mina Devi, and Sonia Devi Waikhom, also demonstrated immense fight and used the high-stakes environment to absorb critical international experience. They narrowly missed a quarterfinal berth but showed great adaptability by executing sharp tactical adjustments from the coach's side on the fly.
Future Bright for Indian Fencing
While the relentless pressing of the tier-one Asian nations proved difficult to break down in the demanding 45-point team format, the fierce determination and developmental strides shown by both Indian teams highlight a very bright future for the nation on the international fencing circuit, according to observers at the event.
The championships continue to draw top talent from across Asia, with the final day set to feature additional team events.
