Lee Sang-Ki wins first medal in Olympic fencing

A veteran fencer Lee Sang-Ki of Korea won the bronze medal for the first time in fencing in the history of Korea¡¯s participation in the Olympics.

The 34-year-old fencer stopped his French counterpart in the quarterfinals 15-14 to advance to the semifinals in the men¡¯s individual epee event of the 2000 Sydney Olympics held at Sydney Exhibition Hall, on Saturday.

However, Lee lost to a Russian fencer in the semifinals and beat Marcell Fischer of Switzerland 15-14 in the consolation match to capture the coveted bronze medal.

It is the first time for a Korean fencer to win a medal since Korea competed first in fencing in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.