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The first day of the fencing competition at the Paris Olympics was filled with excitement and impressive performances. The day's events featured the Women's Épée and Men's Sabre competitions, with thrilling bouts and unexpected upsets that captivated fencing enthusiasts around the world.

The Women's Épée event saw top European fencers demonstrating their skills on the global stage, with three of the top four finishers hailing from Europe. The gold medal was claimed by Vivian Kong of Hong Kong, the current world number 1, who demonstrated why she sits atop the global rankings with a series of decisive victories. Kong's final bout was particularly dramatic, as she clinched the gold with a priority touch in overtime, showcasing her composure under pressure.

Auriane Mallo-Breton of France won the silver medal, delivering a strong performance on home soil. Mallo-Breton's tactical prowess and resilience were evident as she advanced through the rounds, cementing her status as a leading figure in French fencing.

Hungary's Eszter Muhari captured the bronze medal, showcasing her technical skill and strategic acumen. Muhari's ability to handle high-pressure situations highlighted the strength of Hungarian fencing traditions and her potential for future success. She edged out Nelli Differt of Estonia in a tough match that finished with a priority decision. Competing in her first Olympics, Differt finished in a commendable fourth place.

The Men's Sabre competition featured a mix of upsets and strong showings. The gold medal was won by Oh Sanguk of Korea, an achievement highly anticipated by the Korean fencing community. Despite Korea's consistent success in team events, this marked their first individual gold medal in fencing, a milestone that underscores Oh's exceptional talent and dedication.

The silver medal went to Ferjani Fares of Tunisia, who made history by becoming the first Tunisian man to win an Olympic medal and the first Tunisian fencer to win silver. This historic achievement follows Ines Boubakri's bronze medal in 2016, which opened the count of individual Olympic medals for Tunisia.

European athletes also performed admirably, with Luigi Samele of Italy securing the bronze medal. Samele's agility and experience allowed him to stand out in a highly competitive field, reaffirming Italy's strength in fencing. He made history by becoming the first Italian fencer to win an individual medal in two consecutive Olympic Games.

Ziad Elsissy of Egypt, the current world number 1, narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing in fourth place. His ranking as the top fencer in the world was evident in his controlled and powerful fencing style, even as he faced stiff competition from other top athletes.

In a surprising turn of events, Hungary's Aron Szilagyi,  a three-time Olympic champion and a legend in the sport, was unexpectedly defeated in his first bout. Szilagyi's early exit was a major shock, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the sport and the depth of talent present at the Olympics.

The first day of fencing at the Paris Olympics has set a high bar for the rest of the competition. As the tournament progresses, we look forward to more outstanding performances and the continued success of European athletes on the world stage. Tomorrow's program includes the Women’s Foil and Men’s Épée events. The European Fencing Confederation congratulates all the athletes and wishes them the best of luck in the upcoming events.