'Finix Prosecutor'Kwon Hyo-kyung made it to the final round of wheelchair fencing epee. It's the first time in 36 years

Sep 06, 2024

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

"Pinix Prosecutor" Kwon Hyo-kyung roars with a unique sharp tone after making it to the finals in the women's epee individual event (A) at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Grand Palais, Paris, France, on the night of the 6th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Korean wheelchair fencing has the opportunity to win another gold medal on the Paralympic stage for the first time in 36 years.

The voice of Kwon Hyo-kyung (23, Hongseong County Office), who overwhelms the opponent with a clear, sharp voice like a loud voice made when the legendary Phoenix (Buddhist) is flying, resonated brightly in the Grand Palais in Paris, France on the night of the 6th (Korean time). It was a shout that expressed the joy of advancing to the final of the women's individual epee (Sports Grade A) in wheelchair fencing.

If Kwon Hyo-kyung wins in the final, South Korea's wheelchair fencing will again hold the Paralympic gold medal, which has lost its reputation since the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, after Choi Il-joo (Fleur), Park Tae-hoon and Noh Kyung-soo (Sabre).

Kwon Hyo-kyung defeated Hungary's Amarila Berreth 15-13 in the women's epee semifinals of wheelchair fencing in Grand Palais on the same day to reach the final. The final will be held at 4:25 a.m. on the 7th. The opponent is China's avant-garde Andong. advancing to the finals is a better-than-expected result. Kwon Hyo-kyung said, "There's still time left, so I'll prepare well and try (for the gold medal)."

"Pinix Prosecutor" Kwon Hyo-kyung pokes a knife into the opponent's chest during the women's individual epee (A) semifinal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Grand Palais, Paris, France, on the night of the 6th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

If Kwon Hyo-kyung succeeds in winning the gold medal at the Paris Paralympics, she will write a new page in the history of Korean wheelchair fencing. Korean wheelchair fencing, which won three gold medals and one silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Games, has lost its medal since winning one bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics. Kwon Hyo-kyung is trying to win a medal for the first time in 28 years and a gold medal for the first time in 36 years. Especially in Epee, both men and women aim for the first gold medal.

Beres, Kwon Hyo-kyung's semifinal opponent, is the world's top swordsman who won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. However, it is the opponent Kwon Hyo-kyung has won. He became a surprise star by beating Berreth to win the World Cup of Wheelchair Fencing in September 2022. This year, he won the World Cup in Thailand and the Youth World Championship, continuing his challenge until the Paralympics.

This experience became an important driving force behind the semifinal come-from-behind victory.

"Pinix Prosecutor" Kwon Hyo-kyung smiles brightly after making it to the finals in the women's epee individual event (A) at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Grand Palais, Paris, France, on the night of the 6th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

He was dragged to 1-5 at the beginning of the game. One point in the chase was important. Kwon Hyo-kyung, who made up one point by bending down and stabbing, made his unique 'Pinix Scream' louder than usual. The audience at Grand Palais, as well as Berreth, were overwhelmed by the energy. Kwon Hyo-kyung's pace came back to life. In the end, he finished the first set, making it 10-10.

It became 12-12 after a tight search match at the beginning of the second set. It's a chance. Kwon finally shot a real shot to make it 13-12. After that, Kwon Hyo-kyung and Berreth scored at the same time, 14-13. Now, if you get one point, you're going to the finals. Let's start the workshop. A red light came in, meaning Kwon Hyo-kyung's score, and the referee first declared Berreth's foul with his hip raised during the attack. As the warning went out, the score was not recognized.

"Pinix Prosecutor" Kwon Hyo-kyung made it to the finals in the women's epee individual event (A) at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Grand Palais, Paris, France, on the night of the 6th (Korea time). Coach Park Da-young, Kwon Hyo-kyung, and Lee Young-jin, Gyeonggi Province assistant (from left), are shouting fighting together. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

a repeat of the match. Kwon Hyo-kyung calmly stabbed the opponent's arm. The game ended with a red light. Kwon Hyo-kyung's left wrist is engraved with a butterfly tattoo to develop a new life. It is expected that Kwon Hyo-kyung, who makes light plays the sword like a butterfly with the roar of the phoenix, will show a roar of victory in the final match.

wman@sportschosun.com