Iranian fencer shines in Asian fencing event, ends country’s gold drought
Iranian fencer Seyyed Ali Pakdaman has delivered great displays of athletic skills and agility at the 2023 Asian Fencing Championships in China and won the gold medal, ending a 22-year drought for the top podium in the continental tournament.
On Saturday, the 25-year-old Iranian athlete competed in men's sabre contests at Wuxi Taihu International Expo Center Hall B in the eastern Chinese city of Wuxi, and overcame South Korean contestant Kim Jun-ho 15-14 to finish as the champion.
Pakdaman’s gold medal in the men's sabre event comes more than two decades after Peyman Fakhri brought home the great honor in 2001.
Earlier, Mohammad Rahbari, another representative from the Islamic Republic of Iran, lost to the right-handed South Korean sabre fencer 12-15 in his last match, and got the bronze medal.
The 2023 Asian Fencing Championships started on June 17 in Wuxi, China, and will close on June 22.
Sabre is a light cutting and thrusting weapon in the sport of fencing. In the sabre section, the entire body above the waist, except the weapon hand, is targeted. Hits with the entire blade or point are valid. Touches that land outside of the target area are not scored.
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