China's 16-year-old Pan claims bronze at fencing worlds

TBILISI, July 28 (Xinhua) -- China's 16-year-old prodigy Pan Qimiao claimed a bronze medal in the women's sabre individual event at the 2025 Fencing World Championships on Sunday.

Ranked 51st in the world entering the tournament, Pan advanced despite a modest 3-3 record in Saturday's pool rounds. She then surged through the elimination stages with victories of 15-12, 15-13, 15-10 to reach the quarterfinals.

In the last eight, Pan edged Bulgaria's Yoana Ilieva in a dramatic match, tying at 14-14 before sealing the win with a decisive final hit.

Her run ended in the semifinals with a 15-8 defeat to individual neutral athlete Yana Egorian, who went on to win the gold medal. Pan's bronze is China's first medal at this year's championships.

"The whole competition felt like riding a rollercoaster. My pool draw was tough - all strong European fencers - and my mood really hit rock bottom. But then it hit me: 'I'm here now, I can't let the draw beat me. Might as well go all out just to qualify.' So I battled through the qualifiers into the main draw," said Pan.

"Every bout started neck-and-neck, but deep down I knew I could do it. I adjusted tactics instantly to seize key points when it mattered. This whole tournament was about pure enjoyment - loving fencing, loving the fight."

A product of China's domestic fencing circuit, Pan has excelled in national A-level competitions, once claiming four golds at a single event. Her rise comes amid reforms by the Chinese Fencing Association that allow non-professional athletes to qualify for junior world and Asian championship squads.

At age 14, Pan won gold at the 2024 World Junior Championships. She followed with a Junior World Cup title and the National Junior Championships crown.

Her 2025 campaign has included an individual silver and team gold at the Asian Cadet Championships, a silver at the Cadet Worlds following a controversial refereeing decision, and a bronze at the Junior Worlds - culminating in her first senior-level podium finish in Tbilisi.

Three other Chinese fencers also reached the women's sabre elimination rounds on Sunday. Fu Ying was eliminated in the round of 32, while Rao Xueyi and Zhang Xinyi exited in the first round. In the men's epee, Wang Zijie advanced to the last 16, and Zhang Xinkun was eliminated in the opening round.

Competition continues Monday with the men's sabre and women's foil team events. ■