Europe win fencing mixed team title at YOG
0 
The last day of fencing competition Wednesday saw the Europe 1 defeated Europe 2 for the mixed team title and America 1 walked away with the bronze after overcoming Asia-Oceania.
The team event saw a mixture of different countries and regions compete for their respective continents in teams of six - three male and three female - with foil, sabre and epee equally represented.
"I think this event is really meaningful, and I appreciate having the opportunity to compete alongside fencers from China," epee fencer Lee Hye Won of South Korea, who competed for team Asia-Oceania 2, said.
And there is more than just learning fencing techniques.
Lin Sheng, women's epee winner here, not only found the competition interesting instead of stressful, but also made good friends with her new teammates from South Korea and Singapore.
"We did not know each other at all before the Games, but now we are friends," said the 16-year-old who stunned title favorite Alberta Santuccio of Italy to win on Tuesday.
Lin does not speak much English. Nor do most of her teammates. They managed to break the language barrier, however, through body language.
"We have our own way of communicating," said Lin. "We make hand gestures, and utter English words now and then. It worked. Because we are all fencing athletes, we can understand each other with simple words and body language."
Europe 2 silver medallist, and bronze medallist in cadet male individual sabre, Richard Hubers of Germany said fencing in teams made him feel the Olympic spirit.
"Working as a team and supporting each other throughout - that's the Olympic spirit. There's nothing else like it. I mean, this is it," Hubers said.
The first Youth Olympic Games, opened here on Saturday, attracted about 3600 athletes aged from 14 to 18 from 204 countries and regions.
Go to Forum >>0 Comments