Paris 2024: Italian superstar Bebe Vio takes wheelchair fencing bronze

Italy's wheelchair fencing superstar Bebe Vio took home the individual bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympics after losing her semi-final bout. The loss ended her ambition to retain the women's foil category B title and her bid for her third Paralympic gold medal in a row.

Bebe's surprise loss came in the semi-finals against China's Xiao Rong. Xiao established a clear lead closing the first period 3-8. Bebe propelled back in the second period, but it wasn't enough, finishing the bout 9-15 in Xiao's favour. Xiao went on to the gold medal match, losing to Thailand's Saysunee Jana.

"They (Xiao) deserved to get to the final for the gold, she was better than me, she was better prepared physically and mentally. As for me, I 'was there' but not as much as she was," Bebe explained.

After the loss she took a moment before going into the next bout where she beat China's Chang Su 15-7 in the repechage round 4. She then went determined into the bronze medal bout against Korea's Cho Eun Hye, winning 15-2 to secure her Paris 2024 medal.

"You know, they give you some time to cry…but then they tell you “Now, it’s enough, cheer yourself up and go back because you have to go fencing” and in the end, we made it."

Famous fan in the crowd 

The crowd at Paris' iconic Grand Palais were with Bebe, with Italian fans as numerous as the French flying flags and shedding tears. Bebe had a message for them all, saying:

"I have to thank all my “guys” those who followed me here, the trainers…they were all ready to cheer me up and support me mentally because I had to face two more matches to get the bronze. In the end, it’s still a medal and you always must be grateful for that," Bebe told press after the bronze medal match win.

In the busy crowd one special name deserved extra mention, as Bebe's favourite singer and family friend Jovanotti was in the crowd.

Lorenzo Cherubini, known as Jovanotti, is an Italian singer, songwriter and DJ, who has been friends with Bebe for many years and was in Paris to watch her.

"Yes, there was 'Lorenzino', I am very happy. I met him many years ago, way before I came here – I was still on a wheelchair, with long hair and swollen with cortisone and he’s always been there for me. He is a super supporter…he even wanted to come to Tokyo," she said.

"But finally, he’s here today with all his family – we have two families that really love each other. He saw me growing up, he knows me since when I was 12 so it’s really great that he’s here today. "

Second shot in team

Bebe will join her compatriots in the team bouts on September 5, and said if they face China she wouldn't let the loss happen again.

"It’s ok to let China win once, but not twice. Tomorrow, we have the team playing and we’ll try our best again," she said.

"The competition is not over. I can’t say what we exactly say in fencing in these cases…but fingers crossed!"