Shanghai earns gold in men's team sabre at Chinese National Games

Athletes of Shanghai celebrate after the men's sabre team gold medal match of Fencing against Liaoning at the 13th Chinese National Games in north China's Tianjin Municipality, September 1, 2017. Shanghai claimed the title. [Photo: Xinhua/Cao Can]

Shanghai edged Liaoning 45-42 in a thrilling men's sabre team final to win its second fencing gold medal at the Chinese National Games in Tianjin on Friday.

None of Shanghai fencers advanced into the quarter-final of men's individual sabre that finished on Monday. However, they shocked Jiangsu, who were led by Olympic fencing champion Zhong Man, from a 4-10 deficit and defeat the defending champion 45-36 in today's semifinal.

Shanghai led 30-25 after six rounds and Liaoning fought back with Tan Sheng cutting the deficit to 33-35 in the seventh round, but He Wei and Chen Haocong sealed the victory for Shanghai in the last two rounds.

"I have worked four years for this very day. I have already decided to retire after this National Games, I lost in both team and individual finals last time, so I don't want to waste any opportunity to win the champion." said He, who hitted 19 points in the final.

Jiangsu defeated Guangdong 45-44 in the bronze medal battle.

In women's team foil, Fujian overwhelmed defending champion Tianjin 39-27 in the final while Jiangsu beat Liaoning 45-36 in the bronze medal match.