Epee aces earn four Olympic spots

NANJING — China secured four fencing berths for the 2024 Paris Olympics at the FIE Women’s Epee World Cup in Nanjing on Sunday.

A silver medal in the women’s team epee competition earned one team and three individual spots for this summer’s Games.

As the final qualification event for women’s epee at the Paris Olympics, both Hong Kong (China) and China, who ranked eighth and ninth prior to the event, were set to vie for an Asia and Oceania quota place in Nanjing.

Consisting of Tokyo Olympic champion Sun Yiwen and three youngsters — Tang Junyao, Yu Sihan and Xu Nuo — China took on Hong Kong, led by world No 1 Vivian Kong Man-wai, in the last 16.

China raced into an early lead that it never relinquished en route to a 45-33 victory, setting up a clash against old rival South Korea in the quarterfinals.

China overcame a slow start against the Koreans and survived a late scare to win 45-43.

Despite losing to Italy in the final, a second-place finish was still enough for China to outscore Hong Kong and qualify for the epee team event in Paris. Three athletes who participate in the team event in Paris will also qualify for the corresponding individual event.

“Finishing second is very encouraging for us, especially in the final qualification event before the Paris Olympics,” Sun said. “Not only did we get the Olympic tickets, it also gives us hope to fight for Olympic gold.”

Wang Haibin, the head coach of China’s fencing team, hailed China’s performances in Nanjing as an ideal tuneup for Paris.

“We have been testing and adjusting our women’s epee squad in this Olympic cycle. There have been some difficulties, but we believed in ourselves,” Wang said. “Sun has been a role model, and the youngsters deserved the opportunities.

“As long as there is a one-percent chance, we will give it our all. Nobody knows what will happen in Paris, but we will do our best.”