China's women's saber fencing team achieved a milestone victory at the FIE World Cup in Heraklion, Greece, capturing their first team title since 2011. The triumph signals a resurgence for Chinese fencing, propelled by a blend of youth and strategic coaching.
The squad, featuring 26-year-old Fu Ying and rising stars Rao Xueyi (20), Zhang Xinyi, and Wei Jiayi (both 21), demonstrated remarkable composure throughout the knockout stages. After defeating Italy 45-36, they overcame reigning Olympic champions Ukraine and silver medalists South Korea 45-40 each before facing France in the final.
In the championship match, 20-year-old Rao Xueyi delivered a clutch performance during the decisive bout, reversing a one-point deficit with four consecutive strikes to secure a 45-42 win. "We approached every touch like it was match point," said Rao, who had previously claimed individual honors at Budapest's Junior World Cup.
Fu Ying, the team's most experienced member, emphasized their collective effort: "This result validates months of targeted preparation. Our young athletes handled pressure beyond their years."
The victory follows strategic changes implemented by French coach Cyril Verbrackel, who joined after China's Olympic campaign. His experience guiding France to Tokyo 2021 team silver appears to be reshaping China's tactical approach to international competitions.
