(Beijing, April 19) The second day of the "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 FIE World Championships saw France outplaying China 32-30 to clinch the women's team epee gold. The silver and bronze medals went to China and Germany respectively.

China's Li Na opened today's final with a 4-2 lead after tying with her opponent at 1-1 and 2-2. Following her Zhong Weiping took the second bout 6-3. In the fourth round, Zhong Weiping, pitted against Olympic champion Laura Flessel, traded hits with her opponents before the French veteran narrowed the gap 10-11.

In the fifth game, China's Li Na extended her team's lead to 15-12; and in the sixth, both sides received a yellow card for passive attacks.

In the eighth bout, Laura Flessel leveled the score 16 all, after which the two fencers drew the fight six more times as it ended 22-22.

In the critical ninth bout Asian champion Li Na, who took the field a third time, seemed impatient when trailing by one hit and conceded a number of hits in a row in the last few seconds. As a result, China lost the match and the gold medal with 32-30.

The men's individual foil competition will begin tomorrow.