Fencers of Japan share a huddle before the men's epee team final against ROC at Tokyo 2020 on July 30, 2021. (Xinhua/Zheng Huansong)
Japan won its first ever Olympic fencing gold in the men's epee team final.
TOKYO, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan claimed its first ever Olympic fencing gold after beating the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) in the men's epee team final at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday.
Japan built a 25-20 lead after five bouts. Kano Koki beat Sergey Bida 8-3 in the last bout to give Japan a historic 45-36 victory.
Japan, who qualifies from the preliminary match, advanced to the semifinals by stunning the top-ranked France 45-44.
France missed the opportunity to win the gold medal four times in a row at the Olympic Games.
South Korea edged China 45-42 in the bronze medal bout.