China's women's epee team posed for a photo after beating Japan for bronze at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Photo by Hai Yueliang/Xinhua)
WUXI, China, June 20 (Xinhua) -- South Korea ended its gold drought at the 2023 Asian Fencing Championships on Tuesday, taking home two team titles in both men's sabre and women's epee events.
South Korea, which secured six gold medals in the 2022 championships, failed to earn any title on the first three days of individual competitions in Wuxi.
The team, composed of Kim Jung-hwan, Oh San-guk, Gu Bon-gil, and Kim Jun-ho, dominated Iran 45-28 in the men's sabre team final, clinching the gold. Meanwhile, host China edged Japan 45-39 to secure third place.
In the women's epee team event, South Korea seized the gold medal by defeating Hong Kong, China, 39-31.
China's women's epee team placed third with a 45-36 victory over Japan, but the host considered it a failure.
"It's such a disappointment for us. We came here for the gold, but we played like rookies in the semifinal (against Hong Kong, China). We must be stronger both physically and mentally to prepare for the World Championships and the Asian Games in Hangzhou," said China coach Daniel Levavasseur. ■
