China Clinches Women's Team Sabre World Cup Title, Rejuvenating Olympic Hopes

Team China emerged victorious in the 24/25 Women's Team Sabre World Cup, defeating France in the final held in Heraklion, Greece. This triumph marks China's second World Cup team title in 14 years, following their 2011 London win.

The Chinese team, composed of 26-year-old Fu Ying and three young athletes born after 2000 - Rao Xueyi, Zhang Xinyi, and Wei Jiayi - displayed remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament. They secured victories against Italy (45-36), Ukraine (45-40), and Korea (45-40) to reach the final.

In the final against France, Fu established an early lead for China. The score fluctuated between both teams, with China entering the final round trailing by a narrow margin of 39-40. However, Rao Xueyi delivered an exceptional performance in the decisive round, scoring four consecutive points to secure a thrilling 45-42 victory for China.

Women's sabre has historically been a strong event for China, with the team earning a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, they were unable to secure a medal in this event at the subsequent four Olympic Games and did not qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This victory has significantly boosted the confidence of the Chinese women's sabre team as they prepare for future Olympic competitions.