Taegeuk Fencers Crush Japan… Women's Sabre Claims Gold

[Anchor]

The South Korean women's sabre national team defeated Japan to reclaim the top spot after eight years. The men's epee team also secured a dramatic victory in their match against Japan to reach the final, but fell just short at the final hurdle.

Reporting from Nagoya, here is Ha Seong-nyong.

[Reporter]

After crushing China in the semifinals led by ace Jeon Ha-young to advance to the final, the women's sabre team showed dominance once again in the showdown against Japan.

Starting off, Choi Se-bin defeated the tournament's individual gold medalist, Emura, 5-2 to set the momentum, and Jeon Ha-young followed up by aggressively wielding her blade to widen the gap.

A variable arose when 33-year-old veteran Seo Ji-yeon had to step down due to an injury just before scoring her final point, but substitute Kim Jeong-mi immediately claimed a point as soon as she stepped onto the piste, making it 35-19 and letting out a powerful roar.

Finally, as Jeon Ha-young repeatedly blocked and thrust against Emura's attacks, the players were certain of their victory early on. Completing their golden thrusts with an overwhelming score of 45-31, the women's sabre team stood on the highest step of the podium for the first time in eight years since the Jakarta Games.

[Seo Ji-yeon / Women's Sabre National Team Member: I thought this Asian Games would be the last of my life, and I am so happy to have a gold medal around my neck thanks to you guys. Why do I feel like crying while saying this?]

[Choi Se-bin, Kim Jeong-mi / Women's Sabre National Team Members: Are you really crying?]

The men's epee team reached the final after a dramatic win over Japan in the semifinals, but settled for a silver medal after suffering a heartbreaking come-from-behind defeat to Kazakhstan in an overtime thriller.

With this, South Korean fencing wrapped up the tournament with four gold, four silver, and two bronze medals. However, having relinquished the top spot in Asia to Japan for the first time since 2010, the team faces tasks to address ahead of the Los Angeles Olympics two years from now.

---

Nam Dong-heon, a key player in the silver medal performance for the team dressage event, claimed first place in the individual final with a score of 75.19 points.

Nam Dong-heon became the first South Korean to win gold in this event in 12 years, following Hwang Young-shik at the 2014 Incheon Games.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
(Reported by Park Hyun-chul | Video by Jung Sung-hoon | Graphics by Hwang Se-yeon)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.