Taiwan's young female fencer set to rise to world No. 1 in cadet category

Taipei, Jan. 31 (CNA) Taiwanese fencer Ariel Lin (林雨潔) is poised to top the world rankings in the cadet women's épée (tournament) following her latest triumph at the Egypt World Cup.

Lin, who entered the tournament ranking fourth globally in the under-17 category, edged out Canada's Serena Xu 10-9 in a tense final in Cairo on Thursday.

The FIE Junior World Cup season consists of five events -- in Costa Rica, Italy, Bahrain, Egypt, and China -- with Lin having already won two golds and one bronze in the first four, including the one in Egypt.

The China event is scheduled on Feb. 12.

As of press time, the world rankings on the FIE's official website had yet to be updated.

But Lin, 15, is expected to rise to No. 1 and would be the youngest among the world's top 10 in the category.

Lin's coach, Lee Chun-cheng (李俊徵), told CNA that the young fencer struggled in the early stages of the tournament due to discomfort in her right wrist, but showed composure and patience in the direct elimination rounds.

Lin finished Pool 1 with a 4-2 record, tying for second best, before remaining unbeaten through the knockout stage.

According to Lee, Lin is expected to compete as the world No. 1 at the Asian Cadet and Junior Fencing Championship in February and the Fencing Cadet And Junior World Championships in April.