LONDON -- Fencer Choi Byung-chul took the bronze medal in the men's individual foil Tuesday for South Korea's first fencing medal at the London Olympics.

Choi beat Andrea Baldini of Italy 15-14 in the bronze medal contest. Choi is the first South Korean male fencer to win an Olympic medal in a dozen years.

He'd lost to Alaaeldin Abouelkassem of Egypt 15-12 in the semis. Choi's medal comes a day after epee teammate Shin A-lam lost her bid for a gold medal amid a disputed conclusion to her semifinal loss to German Britta Heidemann.

The bronze medal match began as a seesaw battle as Choi nursed a right ankle injury suffered in the quarterfinals. But a malfunction with the scoring sensor delayed the match and gave Choi a breather, and he charged out to a 12-8 lead.

The first to 15 points wins in fencing. Three points from defeat, Baldini made a charge and pulled to a 14-14 tie at the end of the second set. But just 22 seconds into the third set, Choi earned his winning point with a quick counterattack.

Choi also improved on his ninth-place finish at the 2008 Olympics. He said he hopes his medal will open the floodgate for his fencing teammates.

"I am honored to earn the first fencing medal for the country," Choi said. "Now that I have the first one out of the way, I hope my

teammates can cheer up."

He said his tender ankle made things tough in the match, but added, "I've always competed hurt and I am a quick healer."

South Korean fencers will return to the piste for men's individual epee and women's individual sabre events Wednesday.

(Yonhap News)