"'Next-generation ace' Park Sang-won "Today's game, I won't forget until I die"
Jul 27, 2024
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It was the smile of Park Sang-won (Daejeon Metropolitan City Hall), the 'next-generation ace'. Park Sang-won fell to his knees in the quarterfinals unfortunately in the men's sabre individual fencing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at Grand Palais in Paris, France on the 27th (Korea time). Park Sang-won, who competed in his first Olympics, defeated 18-year-old U.S. divinity Colin Heathcock 15-10 in the round of 32 to advance to the round of 16. China's Shen Chenfeng was once in the lead with a triumphant game, but he couldn't get past the end. He finished his first individual Olympic Games with a 11–15 defeat.
Park Sang-won, who met in the mixed zone after the game, was very greedy. That's how much I wanted to win. Unlike the round of 32, there were many people who were not calm. That's why I think I had a hard time playing the game."
In his first Olympics, he said it was an unforgettable experience. Park Sang-won said, `I won't forget this Olympics until I die. I'm so honored to be able to hold the Olympics in such a grand place. Now the individual competition is over, and I want to unite with my brothers in the rest of the team competition and achieve good results."
There is now a team event left. The men's sabre team is trying to win its third consecutive team event. Park Sang-won said, `I will prepare hard so that I can do my best in each position with my brothers. I feel like I need to communicate a lot with the older members, and I need to raise the mood more than now"Individual and team events are very different. In the team competition, he said, "I believe in the older brothers behind me and think, 'Let's do my part without any burden, and there will be good results.'" He said, `I really want to come back with a medal in France, my fatherland" raised his voice.
Park Sang-won, who is considered the next-generation flag bearer, finally said, `Honestly, I'm not good enough right now. I feel good and honored when I hear that I'm the next generation. I intend to work harder for the development of fencing in the Republic of Korea."
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
