Women's Fencing ?p?e, Avenges Defeat to China and Advances to Team Final... Secures Silver Medal

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Our women's fencing ?p?e team advanced to the final of the Tokyo Olympics team event, securing a silver medal.

The women's ?p?e team, consisting of Choi In-jeong (Gyeryong City Hall), Kang Young-mi (Gwangju Metropolitan City Seo-gu Office), Song Se-ra (Busan Metropolitan City Hall), and substitute player Lee Hye-in (Gangwon Province Office), defeated China 38-29 in the women's ?p?e team semifinals held on the 27th at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, advancing to the final.

With this, the Korean women's ?p?e team reached the team event final for the first time in nine years since winning the silver medal at the 2012 London Games. Although they lost to China in the final nine years ago, this time they defeated the current world No. 1 China in the semifinals, raising the possibility of winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal in women's ?p?e.

The final opponent is Estonia, who advanced by defeating Italy in the semifinals. The final will be held at 7:30 PM.

China, led by individual gold medalist Sun Yiwen among others, was formidable. Starting with Song Se-ra trailing 2-3 against Zhu Mingye, Korea continued a close match as Choi In-jeong overturned the score to 7-6 against Sun Yiwen. At this time, Sun Yiwen complained of discomfort after sustaining a thigh injury from an excessive lunge movement.

Next, Kang Young-mi, the third fencer, exchanged 2 points with Lin Sheng, maintaining a narrow lead.

Sun Yiwen, who was scheduled to face Song Se-ra in the next match, continuously complained of thigh pain from the previous injury and was eventually replaced by substitute player Xuan Qi. Song Se-ra dominated Xuan Qi, widening the gap to 13-9.

After the fifth match between Kang Young-mi and Zhu Mingye, the score was 15-12, and after the sixth match between Choi In-jeong and Lin Sheng, it was 17-14, with Korea maintaining control.

In the seventh match, Xuan Qi, facing Kang Young-mi, rallied to narrow the score to 19-18, but Korea sensed victory as Song Se-ra scored 4 points without conceding against Lin Sheng, widening the gap.

Choi In-jeong secured the final victory by pulling further ahead against Zhu Mingye in the last match, confirming their advancement to the final.