Uzbek fencer Nargiza Utebaeva has won a bronze medal at the IV Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar. The 17-year-old athlete competed in the girls’ sabre event on 12 November and recovered from a six-point deficit against Argentina’s Catalina Borrelli to secure a 15:13 victory in the bronze-medal bout. The result added another medal to Uzbekistan’s tally at the Games in Senegal.
Key Takeaways: Utebaeva, 17, claimed bronze in the girls’ sabre on 12 November. She trailed 8:4 before scoring seven consecutive touches to win 15:13. China’s Pan Qimiao took gold, while South Korea’s Jeon Yu-ju claimed silver.
The IV Summer Youth Olympic Games in Dakar bring together young athletes from across the world and are widely viewed as a key stepping stone toward senior international competition. Sabre fencing demands speed, precision and mental resilience, making success at this level an important indicator of an athlete’s development. For Uzbekistan, the result also highlights the value of giving young fencers exposure to high-pressure international events. Such results are particularly significant as countries invest more in youth sport and early talent identification.
Utebaeva began the competition strongly, winning all her bouts in the group stage; her opponents included China’s Pan Qimiao, who later became the Olympic champion. In the semifinal, the Uzbek athlete faced another Chinese representative but lost and moved into the bronze-medal contest. Against Catalina Borrelli of Argentina, she fell 8:4 behind and then trailed by six points. Utebaeva responded with seven consecutive scoring touches, took the lead and held on for a 15:13 win.
The bronze is another medal for Uzbekistan’s delegation in Senegal. Earlier, track-and-field athletes Parizoda Talabova and Shakhzodbek Kholmurodov won two silver medals at the Youth Olympics. The tournament continues, with more events still to come; Uzbekistan’s team is expected to compete for further medals and to use the experience as part of its long-term development work. Coaches and officials are likely to assess the performance alongside broader preparations for future junior and senior championships.
Source: podrobno.uz