Japan held off a late charge by Canada to win the Paris Games foil fencing team bronze on Thursday, the nation's first medal in the event at the Olympics.

The team of Yuka Ueno, Komaki Kikuchi, Sera Azuma and Karin Miyawaki beat the Canadians 33-32 at the Grand Palais in Paris, giving Japan its second fencing medal of the games after Koki Kano's gold in the men's individual epee on Sunday.

"I couldn't perform the way I wanted to in the individual foil competition," said Ueno, who was eliminated in second round of the women's individual foil. "So I was determined to get a medal in the team event no matter what. I gave it everything I had."

Japanese fencer Yuka Ueno (R) takes on Canada's Yunjia Zhang during the women's team foil bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 1, 2024. (Kyodo)

The United States won gold, 45-39 over Italy.

Earlier, the Japanese beat Poland 45-30 in the table of eight and then lost to Italy 45-39 in the semifinal.

After a close start to the bronze medal match, Japan got some score separation in the fifth bout when Ueno beat her 16-year-old opponent Yunjia Zhang 5-1, giving her team a five-point buffer.

Japanese fencer Yuka Ueno reacts after winning the women's team foil bronze medal match against Canada at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 1, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo
Yuka Ueno (top) and her Japan teammates (in white) celebrate after winning the women's team foil bronze medal in the fencing competition at the Paris Olympics at the Grand Palais in Paris on Aug. 1, 2024. (Kyodo)

Japan surrendered two points across the next three matches, giving 22-year-old Ueno, the final fencer, a three-point lead to defend in the final matchup.

And Ueno needed them all as Eleanor Harvey went on the attack, cutting the lead to one with 49 seconds remaining, but the Japanese defended to the death before ripping off her mask with joy and joining her teammates in celebration at the historic medal.

"I couldn't get a medal in Tokyo (at the Olympics in 2021) so I am happy I have finally got one here," said Azuma. "I was able to put (elimination in) the individual event behind me and ready myself for battle today."

Japanese fencers (from L) Karin Miyawaki, Yuka Ueno, Komaki Kikuchi and Sera Azuma celebrate after winning the women's team foil bronze medal match against Canada at the Paris Olympics on Aug. 1, 2024, at the Grand Palais in Paris. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Related coverage:

Olympics: Koki Kano wins men's individual epee fencing gold in Paris

Olympics: Misaki Emura a shock loser in sabre fencing last 16