[Asian Games] South Korea beats China for gold in women's sabre team event

South Korea defeated China for the gold medal in the women's sabre fencing team event at the Asian Games on Tuesday.

   The team of Kim Ji-yeon, Lee Ra-jin and Yoon Ji-su beat the Chinese squad of Shen Chen, Yu Xinting, Qian Jiarui and Li Fei 45-41.

   Three fencers from each side take the piste in the team competition, but teams can each use up to one substitute. Li was inserted as a sub late in the bout but couldn't prevent South Korea's victory.

   This is South Korea's fifth fencing gold medal in four days.

The victory also ended China's Asiad gold medal streak in the women's team sabre at three.

   China led 20-14 early, but Yoon and Kim keyed a furious comeback, making it 30-28 for South Korea.

   Soon, it was 40-33 for the host. China wouldn't go away, with Shen scoring eight unanswered points in one stretch to make it a 41-41 contest.

   Then Kim stepped up to score the final four points to clinch the victory.

   The women's sabre event became an Asian Games medal sport for the first time in 2002, and China had won the women's team gold in every Asiad since until Tuesday.

   Lee, who defeated Kim for the individual gold last Saturday, became the first double gold medalist in fencing. (Yonhap)