The New Avengers: South Korea’s Journey to Olympic Sabre Gold

The Secret to Sabre Team’s World Domination

On July 31st, at the Grand Palais in Paris, France, South Korea’s national fencing team celebrated a significant victory. The men’s sabre team clinched the gold medal against Hungary in the 2024 Paris Olympics, showcasing a thrilling performance. This victory was a testament to their incredible strategy and teamwork.

Introduction to Oh Sang-wook

Oh Sang-wook, a key member of the South Korean fencing team, has been a dominant force in the sport. Born in 1996, Oh began fencing at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks with his exceptional skill and determination. He made his mark by winning multiple international competitions and has been instrumental in South Korea’s recent successes. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Oh not only contributed to the team’s gold medal in the sabre event but also secured an individual gold, making him the first South Korean fencer to achieve such a feat in a single Olympic Games.

Decisive Substitution in the Final

The final match against Hungary, a ten-time champion in this event, was fiercely contested. South Korea led by a narrow margin of 30-29 until the sixth round. At this critical moment, team coach Won Woo-young made a bold decision to substitute veteran Gu Bon-gil with the young fencer, Do Kyung-dong. Do, eager to prove himself after sitting out the quarterfinals and semifinals, immediately scored five consecutive points. This pivotal move secured South Korea’s third consecutive Olympic victory in men’s sabre.

Team Dynamics and Leadership

The team, known as the “New Avengers” (a blend of “Avengers” and “fencing”), consists of Oh Sang-wook, Gu Bon-gil, Park Sang-won, and Do Kyung-dong. They succeeded in building on the legacy of their predecessors by winning gold in three consecutive Olympics: London 2012, Tokyo 2020 (the event was not held in Rio 2016), and now Paris 2024. Oh Sang-wook, who previously won gold in the individual event, became the first South Korean fencer to win two Olympic gold medals in the same games. This achievement marked South Korea’s 300th Summer Olympic medal.

The original “Avengers” team, comprising Kim Jung-hwan, Gu Bon-gil, Oh Sang-wook, and Kim Jun-ho, had achieved remarkable success with gold medals in world championships and Asian Games. With Kim Jun-ho retiring and Kim Jung-hwan battling injuries, newcomers Park Sang-won and Do Kyung-dong stepped up to form the “New Avengers.” Their fresh energy and dynamic performances were crucial in maintaining South Korea’s dominance in the sport.

Overcoming Challenges and Unity

Facing the pressure of replacing seasoned veterans, Park Sang-won and Do Kyung-dong relied on the encouragement and trust from their senior teammates. Gu Bon-gil reassured them, saying, “If we falter, you step up, and if you falter, we’ll cover for you. Let’s trust each other.” This spirit of mutual support was evident throughout the tournament. During the quarterfinals, when Gu struggled, Do motivated him by saying, “Why are you lacking confidence? I’m here to back you up.” This pep talk helped Gu regain his form and perform brilliantly in the semifinals.

Oh Sang-wook also shared how Do’s frequent cheers of “You’re the best!” from the sidelines provided him with the stability needed to excel. Do Kyung-dong, scheduled to be discharged from the military in October, earned early discharge benefits with his gold medal win. Park Sang-won, known for his powerful play, brought a vibrant energy to the team.

Training and Preparation

The semifinals against France, held amidst a home crowd chanting and singing, posed a significant challenge. However, the “New Avengers” silenced the spectators with their superior skills. Their rigorous training at Jincheon National Training Center included “noise training” with speakers blaring cheers and applause, which proved beneficial. Simulated practice matches with international referees also prepared them for unfavorable calls, enhancing their mental toughness.

Support and Sponsorship

SK Telecom, the team’s sponsor since 2003, played a vital role in their success. The company invested 30 billion won to improve the team’s performance and expand the sport’s reach. Hosting 1-2 international Grand Prix events annually and supporting overseas training and competition helped significantly enhance South Korea’s international competitiveness in fencing.

Understanding Sabre, Foil, and Epee

Fencing comprises three disciplines: foil, epee, and sabre. Sabre targets the upper body, including the head and arms, and allows both thrusting and cutting actions with the front and part of the back blade. Foil scores only with the tip on the torso, while epee targets the entire body with the tip.

Reference: https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/023/0003850068?sid=104

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