Games-South Korea team condemn Asian Games organisers over logistical 'shortcomings'

On Tuesday, South Korean fencer Song Se-ra claimed the gold medal in the women's epee individual fencing event at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, marking South Korea's first fencing gold at the Games. Song triumphed over Singapore's Kiria Tikanah Abdul Rahman with a score of 15-8 in the final match at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, located about 35 kilometers south of Nagoya, the main host city.

This victory marked a significant milestone for South Korea, as it was their first gold medal in fencing at the Asian Games. The Games officially kicked off on Saturday. Prior to this, Song had secured a silver medal at the previous Asian Games.

The podium was completed by bronze medals awarded to Tamaki Terayama from Japan and Yang Jingwen from China. In epee fencing, competitors use a thrusting weapon that can target the entire body. The individual event consists of three three-minute bouts. The fencer with the most points after these bouts wins, or the first to achieve 15 points.

Song's victory in the final was a far cry from her close 15-14 wins in the quarterfinals and semifinals. In the first round, she lost two points early but then scored three consecutive points to take a 3-2 lead. She extended her lead further in the subsequent rounds.