Russian fencer Pavel Graudyn has won gold at the World Championships in Hong Kong, securing the country’s first medal since its athletes returned to competition under the national flag and anthem.

The 19-year-old defeated South Korea’s Do Gyeong-dong 15:7 in the men’s individual saber final on Monday, having earlier knocked out top-seeded French favorite Sebastien Patrice. The victory marked Russia’s first world title in the discipline since 2015.

The International Fencing Federation lifted all restrictions on Russian and Belarusian athletes in June, allowing them to compete with national symbols at the championships, which run from July 22 to July 30.

Russian fencers had previously been allowed to participate only under neutral status after being excluded from international events following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Graudyn on his victory, praising his skill, determination and composure during the deciding bout. Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev said the title was Russia’s first world championship gold since the restoration of its flag and anthem.

The fencing body is among several international federations that have recently eased or removed restrictions on Russian athletes. Governing organizations for aquatic sports, gymnastics, judo, taekwondo and wrestling have also restored participation under national symbols.

Earlier this month, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) also provisionally reinstated the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) and withdrew its general recommendations restricting Russian athletes from international competition.

Moscow has applauded the reversals, with Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova welcoming the IOC’s decision by stating that “common sense has prevailed!” Russian officials had previously described the IOC’s suspension of the ROC as “politically motivated” and an example of “deliberate segregation” that violated the principles of the Olympic movement.

However, some governing bodies, including World Athletics, have nevertheless maintained their bans. Russian Athletics Federation (RUSAF) chief Boris Yaryshevsky said WA had indicated that Russian and Belarusian athletes would be readmitted only after a peace agreement was reached in Ukraine.

Moscow has slammed the WA decision as discriminatory and a “complete contradiction” to the principle that sport should remain separate from politics. RUSAF has challenged the ban at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.