Sun Yiwen (left) of China competes against Jade Sersot during the last table of 64 match at the women's Epee World Cup in Nanjing, China, March 25, 2023. (PHOTO COURTESY OF CHINESE FENCING ASSOCIATION)

ROME - Tokyo Olympic champion Sun Yiwen of China claimed a bronze medal in the women's epee individual at the Fencing World Championships in Milan, Italy on Tuesday.

Sun made it into the semifinals after encountering world number two Song Se-ra of South Korea in the last 16, before meeting two-time world champion Rossella Fiamingo of Italy in the quarterfinal.

Trailing 8-5 in the last minute of the quarters, Sun bounced back with a 4-0 run to win the bout 9-8.

ALSO READ: Sun sharpening up for more success

Sun had to settle for a bronze after she lost the semifinal to France's Marie-Florence Candassamy 14-10, who later beat Alberta Santuccio of Italy 15-12 to take gold.

"My overall performance was okay," Sun recalled after the match. "I did well on some point handling, and didn't panic at the key moment. I'm now more patient and calm."

"In addition to technical and physical preparation for the World Championships, I also paid extra attention in other aspects," she added.

READ MORE: Sun's joy tinged by ill father's fight

Also on Tuesday, no Chinese fencers made it into the last 16 of the men's sabre individual, where Eli Dershwitz of the United States pocketed the gold medal.