China's Pan wins women's sabre gold at Youth Olympics

Gold medalist Pan Qimiao (C) of China takes a selfie with silver medalist Jeon Yuju (L) of South Korea and bronze medalist Nargiza Utebaeva of Uzbekistan during the victory ceremony for the Women's Sabre Individual of fencing at Dakar Expo Center in Diamniadio, Senegal, Nov. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)

DAKAR, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- China's Pan Qimiao claimed the women's individual sabre title with a 15-10 win over top seed Jeon Yuju of South Korea at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games on Thursday.

Pan opened the bout with eight straight hits to take an 8-0 lead after the first period, before Jeon rallied in the second and closed the gap to 7-9.

Pan rebuilt her cushion and reached the match point at 14-8. Jeon scored two hits in a row before Pan landed the decisive hit, sealing the win in a bout lasting nine minutes 32 seconds.

Entering the competition as the third seed, Pan came through the pool round with five wins and one loss. Although Uzbekistan's Nargiza Utebaeva beat Pan 5-4 in the pool, Pan took revenge in the semifinal with a 15-13 win over Utebaeva.

"I was under huge pressure mentally coming into the Youth Olympics. You only get to compete here once in your life, and I really wanted to win the gold," Pan, 17, told Xinhua after the final. "I lost to her (Utebaeva) 5-4 in the pool because I was nervous, and my body was stiff."

"I hope to earn a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games with my team," added Pan, who had taken a bronze medal in the women's individual sabre at the 2025 World Fencing Championships.

Utebaeva beat Argentina's Catalina Borrelli 15-13 to secure the bronze medal.

Pan Qimiao (L) of China competes against Jeon Yuju of South Korea during the Women's Sabre Individual Gold Medal Bout of fencing at Dakar Expo Center in Diamniadio, Senegal, Nov. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)

Pan Qimiao of China celebrates during the Women's Sabre Individual Gold Medal Bout of fencing against Jeon Yuju of South Korea at Dakar Expo Center in Diamniadio, Senegal, Nov. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)

Pan Qimiao of China (L) competes against Jeon Yuju of South Korea during the Women's Sabre Individual Gold Medal Bout of fencing at Dakar Expo Center in Diamniadio, Senegal, Nov. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)

Pan Qimiao of China greets the spectators before the Women's Sabre Individual Gold Medal Bout of fencing against Jeon Yuju of South Korea at Dakar Expo Center in Diamniadio, Senegal, Nov. 12, 2026. (Xinhua/Wang Lili)