By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter

Jeon Hee-sook captured South Korea's first medal at the 2009 International Fencing Federation (FIE) World Fencing Championships Monday (KST), winning silver as she lost to Aida Shanaeva of Russia 12-11 in overtime in the final.

The podium finish was also the first for the 25-year-old at the annual event.

The world No. 5 had a tough match from the beginning as the 14th-seeded Russian pushed her with attacks. She came back to force extra period, where she allowed Shanaeva to execute an attack that landed, ending the match.

Jeon ousted another Russian, Larisa Korobeinikova, 15-4 in the quarterfinals and downed Arianna Errigo of Italy 15-11 in the semifinals.

Beijing Olympic silver medalist Nam Hyun-hee, one of the top contenders in the event, failed to live up to expectations as she crashed out in the round of 16 in a 9-8 loss to Korobeinikova.

Nam, 28, is currently third in the world rankings.

In the women's sabre, Jung Eun-hee has advanced to the second round.

As of Monday, Korea is tied for fourth in the medal standings with China. Russia tops the medal table with two gold and a bronze., which has notched two gold and one bronze.

The championships will run through Thursday.

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr