[1] The event was won by Zhong Man of China, the nation's first medal in the men's sabre.

Nicolas Lopez's silver put France back on the podium after a one-Games absence.

Men's foil was the first event to which this applied to, so the 2008 individual sabre competition continued to allow three fencers per nation.

China used only 2 of those places to max out its representation in all events, so 6 spots were assigned by Tripartite Commission invitation.

The sabre competition consisted of a five-round single-elimination bracket with a bronze medal match between the two semifinal losers.