Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan advances to quarterfinals at 2024 Olympics

Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympics. She defeated Azerbaijan's representative, Anna Bashta.

"Suspilne.Sport" reports this.

Kharlan beat Bashta, the former representative of Russia until 2019, in the round of 16 of the individual saber tournament with a score of 15:6. Prior to that, the Ukrainian fencer started the Olympics with a victory over the Japanese fencer Shihomi Fukushima, winning 15:9.

Kharlan's quarterfinal opponent will be Hungarian Anna Marton. Their match will take place on July 29 at 16:55.

^{Photo: AP Photo / Andrew Medichini}

For reference:

Olha Kharlan is an Olympic gold medalist, six-time world champion, and eight-time European champion.

On July 27, 2023, Olha Kharlan, leader of the Ukrainian national fencing team, emerged victorious over Russian athlete Anna Smirnova in the 1/32 of the World Fencing Championship. The match ended with a score of 15:7 in favor of Kharlan and the Ukrainian team.

Following this, the Ukrainian athlete declined to shake hands with the Russian woman. Kharlan extended her weapon, proposing to clash their sabers instead of shaking Smirnova's hand. However, the Russians declined this offer and waited for approximately 50 minutes before finally shaking hands.

According to the rules of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), the fencer's refusal to "congratulate" the opponent before or after the match is punishable by a black card (disqualification). So the Ukrainian fencer was removed from participation in the World Championship.

Following public backlash and criticism, the FIE suspended Harlan, but did not completely revoke their suspension. This allowed the Ukrainian athlete to compete in the women's team competition at the World Fencing Championships in Milan. However, the suspension would still be in effect after the event.

On July 28, the International Olympic Committee granted Kharlan automatic qualification to participate in the Olympic Games. Subsequently, the World Fencing Federation (FIE) announced that it would change the handshake rules in official competitions.

It's worth mentioning that Ukrainian fencer Olha Kharlan donated her personal Mattel Barbie doll to a charity auction. This particular doll is the only one of its kind in the world.