Former Olympic medalist takes early exit in foil fencing

Two-time Olympic fencing medalist Nam Hyun-hee took an early exit from the women's individual foil at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on Wednesday.

Nam lost to Shiho Nishioka of Japan 15-12 in the round of 32.

Nam opened a 6-2 lead early in the second period, but Nishioka scored six straight points to build an 8-6 lead.

Leading 10-8 in the final frame, the Japanese contender reeled off four consecutive points to reach the brink of a victory. Nam hung tough and closed it to 14-12, but Nishioka got her 15th and clinching point with 6.9 seconds remaining.

Nam, 34, was competing at her fourth Olympics. She won the individual silver in 2008 and took the team bronze in 2012.

Nam's teammate, Jeon Hee-sook, lost in the round of 16 to Aida Shanaeva of Russia 15-11.

South Korea won six fencing medals at the 2012 London Games, but has only grabbed one medal through Tuesday's action -- a gold in the men's individual epee by Park Sang-young.

Two more South Koreans, Kim Jung-hwan and Gu Bon-gil, will be in action in the men's individual sabre later Wednesday. (Yonhap)