SINGAPORE - China and South Korea bounced back from shock defeats on Sunday to clinch a title each in the Asian Fencing Championships at OCBC Arena Hall 1 on Monday.
The two Asian powerhouses had slumped to surprise losses to Kazakhstan in the men's epee team competition on Sunday. On Monday night, however, the Chinese men's foil team - ranked fourth in the world - defeated fifth-ranked South Korea 45-31 in the final to retain their Asian title.
In the women's team epee event, however, South Korea turned the tables on China, who were the defending champions. Despite their world No. 8 ranking - four spots lower than the Chinese - the Koreans managed to triumph 45-40.
Said their coach Kang Jae Sung, 49: "They were in it to win from the start. We were more at peace and focused solely on playing our best instead. I think that's how we managed to overcome them."
The Singapore men's foil team, fresh from their SEA Games triumph, were placed sixth after losing to the Australians 42-44 in the fifth/sixth-placing match.
Meanwhile, the host's women's epee team, despite a strong opening bout in which they beat SEA Games champions Vietnam 45-32, eventually placed eighth.
