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Roundup: China Wins Fifth Universiade Gold in Fencing
China's top fencer Yang Shaoqi defeated the world No. 3 swordswoman Tatiana Logunova and also her knee injury in the last match, leading China to the title of women's team epee at the 21st World University Games.
The last match of women's final between Yang, who is currently ranked 19th in the world, and Logunova was more like a cruel wrestling than a fencing battle. Logunova, who even failed to reach semi-finals of women's individual epee competition, bombarded strikes on Yang, who got the individual title at the Universiade.
Yang, who had her right knee injured after a collision with the Russian fencer at 38-32, just waited the rival's attacks and wisely launched counter-attacks, which always hit on target.
Enduring the knee injury, Yang made four touches on Logunova. Yang obtained a total of 27 points in the final match for China.
When interviewed with Xinhua after the match, Yang said that she hesitated as being injured. "If I quitted at that time, China would lose the game," she said.
"Confidence and cheers from teammates and audience made me stick to continue fighting," the 25-year-old fencer said.
"The Chinese team are very strong, and it's difficult for us to win the final," Logunova said.
The Chinese team, bronze medalist of Sydney Olympics team epee, also features Zhong Weiping and Li Na.
Their skillful performance added the fifth fencing gold to China's medal tally at the games.
Compared with the women's final, the men's could be labelled as unromantic.
France, grouping the world 20th Erik Boisse, 26th Benoit Janvier and 93rd Matthieu Denis, made an easy victory over Italy 45-27.
The French swordsmen led in the final all the way and reached the gold with no doubt. Among the three fighters, Denis was the most joyous for obtaining his second gold medal during the competition. He won France's first gold at the universiade Saturday.
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