PARIS (Kyodo) Beijing Olympic silver medalist Yuki Ota led Japan to a bronze-medal finish in the team foil event at the World Fencing Championships on Thursday.
The Japanese team, which also features Kenta Chida and Suguru Awaji, came from behind to beat Russia 45-42. According to the Japan Fencing Federation, the result went one better than fourth-place finishes at the 1967 and 1971 meets.
"I was prepared for this meet. I think we get full marks for a third place in the men's team event," Ota said. "This experience will be a treasure for my life," he said.
Japan's women won the bronze in the foil event at the 2007 worlds.
Japan fell to Italy in the semifinals but booked a spot in the match for third against Russia. Trailing 17-7 going into the second round, Ota scored 13 points to rally his team.