'Another Avengers' Female Sabre Wins Silver Medal... Best Ever Performance [Paris Olympics]

Defeating World No.1 France to Reach First Final
Korean Fencing Wins 2 Golds and 1 Silver in This Tournament
Ukraine Competes Amid War, Wins First Gold in Tournament

The South Korean women's fencing sabre team won a valuable silver medal in the team event.

On the afternoon of the 3rd (local time), Korean athletes who won the silver medal in the women's sabre team final at the 2024 Paris Olympic fencing event held at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, are greeting Ukrainian athletes. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Composed of Yoon Ji-su (31, Seoul City Hall), Choi Se-bin (24, Jeonnam Provincial Office), Jeon Ha-young (23, Seoul City Hall), and Jeon Eun-hye (27, Incheon Jung-gu Office), the South Korean women's fencing sabre team lost 42-45 to Ukraine in the final of the women's sabre team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at the Grand Palais in Paris, France on the 4th (Korean time), earning the silver medal.

Korean women's fencing has won its fourth-ever team event medal, following silver medals in women's ?p?e at the 2012 London and 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and a bronze medal in women's sabre at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Ranked 4th in the world, the Korean team missed out on the gold medal but achieved their best-ever result, surpassing their performance at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Korea advanced to the final by defeating the United States in the quarterfinals and the world No. 1 host team France in the semifinals.

In the semifinals, Korea replaced captain Yoon Ji-su, fielding Jeon Eun-hye, Jeon Ha-young, and Choi Se-bin.

Jeon Eun-hye, who competed in the first round, struggled early against Olga Kharlan, trailing 3-5. Down 1-4, Jeon scored two consecutive points to narrow the gap.

In the second round, ace Jeon Ha-young scored four consecutive points against Yuliya Bakastova, leading 7-3 and bringing the score to 10-8.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In the third round, Choi Se-bin, who placed 4th in the individual event, took the piste. Facing Alina Komashchuk, Choi conceded three consecutive points and fell behind. Although trailing 11-13 at one point, she scored three consecutive points to recover, leveling the round score at 5-5 and putting Korea ahead 15-13 again.

Jeon Eun-hye, competing in the fourth round, began to dominate Bakastova with three consecutive points. Maintaining the lead steadily, Jeon led 5-1 in the round and extended the score difference to 20-14.

In the fifth round, Choi Se-bin struggled against Kharlan. After leading 22-16, she conceded three consecutive points, allowing a comeback. Later, at 23-19, she gave up four consecutive points, resulting in a tie. She then launched an offensive, scoring two points to maintain a 25-23 lead.

Jeon Ha-young maintained the gap in the sixth round. In a tight battle with Komashchuk, Jeon successfully parried and riposted at 29-28, reaching 30 points first.

The South Korean women's sabre team posed after advancing to the finals by defeating the French team in the women's sabre team event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, held on the afternoon of the 3rd (local time) at the Grand Palais in Paris, France. (From left) Choi Se-bin, Yoon Ji-soo, Jeon Ha-young, Jeon Eun-hye. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In the seventh round, Choi Se-bin briefly allowed a 32-32 tie against Bakastova. However, after a referee video review, she regained the lead and narrowly scored two points at 34-33, maintaining a 35-33 lead.

In the eighth round, Jeon Eun-hye conceded consecutive points to Komashchuk, resulting in a 35-35 tie, but did not lose the lead. At 39-37, Jeon's attack scored, extending the lead to 40-37, a three-point difference.

The ninth round featured an ace showdown between Jeon Ha-young and Olga Kharlan. The Korean team maintained the lead until mid-round, but Ukraine's late surge was strong. Jeon conceded three consecutive points, tying the score at 40-40.

In the following situation, Jeon Ha-young scored with an aggressive attack. After exchanging attacks, a video review confirmed Jeon's point, making it 42-40.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Jeon Ha-young's concentration faltered, and after conceding three consecutive points, the score reversed to 42-43. Unable to block Kharlan's attacks, Jeon then allowed two more points, losing 42-45 and securing the silver medal.

The world No. 4 team advanced to the final by defeating host nation France 45-36 in the semifinals. Ukraine reached the final by beating Japan 45-32 in the semifinals. Ukraine's victory in this match earned them their first gold medal of this Olympics.