Olympics-Fencing-Defending champion Sun defeated in sudden-death epee shock

PARIS - Defending women's epee champion Sun Yiwen of China was knocked out in her opening bout by Japan's Miho Yoshimura on Saturday in a major shock on the first day of the fencing at the Paris Olympics.

The two were locked at 13 touches each after the regulation three periods of 3 minutes, and 43rd-ranked Yoshimura secured victory in the first few seconds of sudden-death overtime.

It took Sun, a twice world champion, a few minutes and some back and forth with the referee to acknowledge her loss to Yoshimura who moved into the last 16 before losing to Ukraine's Vlada Kharkova.

"I thought she didn't touch me in her last attempt but when I asked the referee to watch the replay, he had already done it and wouldn't watch it again," Sun told Chinese broadcaster CCTV.

"Even if I file for an arbitration, the result wouldn't be changed. There's no other way. It is the Olympic rule that if a result has been determined, even if the referee was wrong, you can't change it."

Sun later took to Weibo, China's equivalent of X, to thank her supporters.

"The arena has long taught me how to face victory and defeat and accept everything. Fencing to me is not only about achieving glory, but it is also about my hope to set a good example to the kids who are practicing fencing and sports and tell them to not fear adversity and failure and keep going forward, working hard for what you are passionate about," the message read.

"Next I still have the group event and I will continue to try my best. Allez China! Allez!”

The women's epee team event will take place on July 30 at the Grand Palais.