Ukraine Clinches First Paris 2024 Gold in Women’s Sabre Team

Ukraine secured their first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a dramatic win in the women’s sabre team event final, overcoming South Korea. The Ukrainian team, led by the remarkable Olga Kharlan, who had already won an individual bronze medal earlier in the Games, delivered a memorable performance in the final. The match was intense with Ukraine initially trailing South Korea 40-37.  However, Kharlan took charge in the final leg, guiding her team to a 45-42 victory.

She played a crucial role, scoring 22 touches throughout the final, and clinched the gold medal with a decisive final touch. This victory marked Kharlan’s sixth Olympic medal and her second gold with her previous gold coming in the team event with Ukraine in 2008. After securing the gold, Kharlan celebrated by removing her mask and kneeling on the ground, overwhelmed by the moment.

The win was not only a personal triumph for Kharlan but also a historic achievement for Ukrainian fencing. Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko praised the team’s performance, saying on X: “Steel nerves! Incredible skill! A very intense competition, a fight to the very last seconds, great work of our athletes. Crazy emotions, a historic result.”

In the bronze medal match, Japan defeated the host nation France with a score of 45-40, securing third place in the event. This victory marked a significant moment for Ukrainian sports, showcasing their resilience and skill on the international stage.