'Winning a medal for the first time in 28 years' closes the quarterfinals of the Korean wheelchair fencing team event, which was written in a fairy tale on an autumn day

Sep 08, 2024

Kwon Hyo-kyung (left) greets her opponent with a smile after the quarterfinals of the women's epee team event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Grand Palais, Paris, France, on the afternoon of the 7th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Korean wheelchair fencing, which won the Paralympic medal for the first time in 28 years, ended the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games with the quarterfinals of the women's team event.

The national team, consisting of Kwon Hyo-kyung (23, Hongseong County Office), Cho Eun-hye (39, Burouvel Korea), and Baek Kyung-hye (24, KEPCO KDN), lost to Thailand 42:45 in the quarterfinals of the women's epee team event held in Grand Palais, Paris, France on the afternoon of the 7th (Korea time).

In the wheelchair fencing team event, unlike the individual event (15 points, 3 sets), the team that scored 45 points first during 9 rounds wins. Up to four players (three main competitors and one candidate) can participate in the team event, and at least one B-grade player must be included. Korea has formed teams of Kwon Hyo-kyung, Baek Kyung-hye (Sports Grade A) and Cho Eun-hye (B Grade).

Kwon Hyo-kyung, who won a silver medal in the women's epee (sports grade A) individual event the day before and gave the Paralympic medal to the history of Korean wheelchair fencing for the first time in 28 years since the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics, played the role of ace and spearhead.

Cho Eun-hye (right) of the Korean fencing team shouts without her mask in the women's epee team event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Kwon Hyo-kyung led 5-2 against Sai Suni Jana with a unique 'butterfly detection method' based on a cheerful stab at the beginning of the first round. However, Cho Eun-hye, who took over the baton, allowed a series of stabbings by Apinka Tongdang, allowing the turnaround to 7-10. South Korea, which gave up the lead in the game, tried to narrow the gap with Baek Kyung-hye and Cho Eun-hye in the third and fourth rounds, but failed to stab the Thai players properly. The score went up at the same time by hitting a shot together. It is disadvantageous for South Korea, which is lagging behind.

In the end, 'Butter Swordsman' came out plainly. Kwon Hyo-kyung turned the tables 25-24 with eight consecutive points in the fifth round by herself. But I couldn't face all the Thai players alone.

Baek Kyung-hye of the Korean fencing team shouts without her mask in the women's epee team event at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

I also had pain in my left wrist, and my air was showing the floor. I had to rest and start a clouding ceremony to hold out until the end.

Baek Kyung-hye appeared on the piste to give Kwon Hyo-kyung a break. I quickly exchanged swords with Tong Deng of Thailand. However, the opponent was experienced. It was avoided and reversed again by effectively using stabbing. Cho Eun-hye came forward to see it, but the gap did not close. Round 8 ended at 35-40.

On the last stage, Kwon Hyo-kyung, who quickly drew strength, appeared in the piste. If you score 10 points alone, you can win. It's not impossible, but it's very difficult in reality. Kwon Hyo-kyung followed 42-44. However, he allowed Thailand to score the last point and unfortunately dropped the sword.

Still, Korean wheelchair fencing made the following promise at the Paris Paralympics with better-than-expected results. I wrote a beautiful autumn fairy tale in Paris, and predicted a follow-up.

Baek Kyung-hye, the fencing team who gave Korean wheelchair fencing its first Paralympic medal in 28 years at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and Kwon Hyo-kyung and Cho Eun-hye (clockwise from top left), the coach of Park Da-young, are shouting fighting after all the games. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Coach Park Da-young, who led the national team, said, "(The first silver medal in 36 years and the first medal in 28 years came from the competition where he won the quarter on his own in 12 years. Thank you very much to our players for their good work." Then "There were many difficult times before we became one with each other. It is a place where players with different tendencies come together to get to know each other and make concessions. We trusted each other and fought well until the end" he said hello.

Cho Eun-hye said, `Although I didn't win a medal, I don't think I've had such a big and valuable experience"I think it was a competition that announced a new start for Korean wheelchair fencing, and I think I gained the strength to show better performance in the future." Baek Kyung-hye said "Since it was my first time on the big stage, many people said "Enjoy it". But I didn't enjoy it (laughs). I want to send myself support so that I can train harder and get better results in the future. Way to go."

Lastly, Kwon Hyo-kyung, who played the ace role, said, `Personally, I was disappointed, but I still enjoyed it," he said with a big smile. He then pledged that he would go to Korea and exercise harder to produce good results.

wman@sportschosun.com