Fencing-Ukraine's Kharlan calls for rule change after disqualification for snubbing Russian opponent

FILE PHOTO: Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Fencing - Women's Individual Sabre - Last 32 - Makuhari Messe Hall B - Chiba, Japan - July 26, 2021. Olga Kharlan of Ukraine reacts after competing REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/File Photo

(Reuters) -Ukrainian fencer Olga Kharlan has said rules have to change following her disqualification for refusing to shake hands with Russian Anna Smirnova at the World Championships in Milan on Thursday.

Kharlan, a four-time Olympic medallist and world champion, won the individual sabre bout 15-7 and then refused to shake hands with her opponent, instead offering her sabre to tap blades.