GUANGZHOU - China beat Korea in the women's team sabre final on Sunday, while Kazakhstan toppled the hosts in a semifinal of the men's team epee, relegating the top seed to bronze in one of the biggest upsets of the day at the Asian Games.

"We wanted this gold medal so badly, that's why we were a bit tight at the beginning," China's world champion Tan Xue said after the 45-40 triumph over Korea.

"Actually, 'wanted' is not the right word. I should have said we needed this gold medal to lift the spirit of the whole team."

Tan said she was disappointed she failed to win the gold medal in women's individual sabre due to an injury that limited her training.

Her 22 points during the match secured the gold medal for the team, but Tan won't lead China at the 2012 London Olympics "because she is no longer young", said coach Jia Guihua.

Top seed and world No 8 Korea advanced to the final by defeating fourth seed Kazakhstan 45-29, leaving the Kazakhs with bronze.

It marked the first time Kazakhstan has won an Asian Games medal in women's team sabre.

"It's a pity we intended to win, but China was very competitive," said Korea's Kim Keum-kwa. "Its strong team spirit made us lose some confidence in the middle of the match."

China had only managed to win two gold medals in fencing as of Sunday night after bagging seven in Doha four years ago.

Meanwhile, the Korean men clinched team epee gold by defeating surprise finalist Kazakhstan 45-31.

Korea is the biggest winner in fencing so far, with six gold medals.

China Daily