“It’s a medal I never imagined.”
He aimed to win the gold medal in fencing for the first time in 36 years. He was almost there but was blocked by a wall. Kwon Hyo-kyung (23), the “butterfly prosecutor,” made it to the final round in the individual competition, but her silver medal is regrettable. However, Kwon said, “I love it.” 메이저사이트
Kwon Hyo-kyung, who overwhelms her opponent with a clear and sharp shout, lost 6-15 after a long match to the third round against Chen Yuand Dong (China) in the women’s epea final of the 2024 Paris Paralympic Wheelchair Fencing at Grand Palais in Paris, France on the 7th (Korea time).
Kwon Hyo-kyung became the first Korean to win a medal in wheelchair fencing at the Paralympic Games in 28 years after Park Tae-hoon won a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She has given new hope to Korea’s wheelchair fencing, which has remained in the doldrums.
It would have been even better if it had been gold. He has the opportunity to win a gold medal for the first time in 36 years since the 1988 Seoul Games (three gold medals and one silver medal). He failed to achieve it. It was a bit disappointing. Still, Kwon smiled. It has been 36 years since he won a silver medal. It is a good achievement.
After the game, Kwon Hyo-kyung said, “This is my first medal at the Paralympics. I feel great because it’s a medal I never imagined. I want to participate in the next Paralympic Games again. I want to win more medals.”
When he said, “I had no idea. I feel so good that my cheekbones are going up. I’m so happy that I can set such a record. Even if I lose, I think I came down with the mindset that I lost lightly.”
Kwon Hyo-kyung made a big break to the final by defeating Hungary’s Beres Amarilla 15-13 in the semifinals.
In fact, there were not many expectations that Kwon would advance to the final. Despite her outstanding potential, she is somewhat inferior to experienced top-ranked players in the world. She also won the bronze medal in the epee team event at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games last year, and ranked fifth in all three individual events (Sabre, Fleur, and epee).
Kwon, however, secretly picked his sword for the Paris Paralympics. He proved himself in the semifinals. Beres is the world’s top swordsman who won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Kwon Hyo-kyung beat Berreth to win the title at the Wheelchair Fencing World Cup held in September 2022. Recalling that time, she advanced to the semifinals. She had a neck-and-neck race of one point until the very end, and finally won the final point.
China’s Chen Yu-andung has emerged as a new powerhouse in the sport through the World Championship in Italy last year and the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games. She is the gold medalist in the individual epee event at the Hangzhou Games. She also won gold medals in sabre, foil and epee in team events, winning four gold medals.
His skills have become more sophisticated. He already won the gold medal in the foil team event at the Paris Paralympics. He continued his momentum in the individual epee event. And Kwon Hyo-kyung couldn’t overcome Cheon Yu-ne and Doong at last.
The first period was tight. It ended 3-5. It was pushed back in the second period. It didn’t control Chen Yu-andung’s attack properly. It was 4-12 in the freezing moment. In the third period, Kwon Hyo-kyung regained strength, but could hardly close the gap. He lost.
Kwon did her best. She wielded all her skills and determination with a sword. She was only slightly inferior to her opponent. Kwon’s expression was not regretful as she took off her mask after the match. She asked the opponent to shake hands with her signature bright smile. Although the winner might have lost, she did not lose in manners and sportsmanship.
Kwon Hyo-kyung said, “I came forward with the mindset of enjoying the show as much as I want. I feel so good now. I think I need to calm down when I get to the hotel.”