Tang Junyao (L) of China competes with Saito Hana of Japan during the women's epee team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Huan Yueliang)
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. ■
Tang Junyao (L) of China competes with Yoshimura Miho of Japan during the women's epee team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Huan Yueliang)
Tang Junyao(1st L), Lin Sheng(2nd L), Zhu Mingye (3rd L) and Sun Yiwen of China pose for photos after winning the women's epee team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Huan Yueliang)
Lin Xiao (1st L), Shen Chenpeng (2nd L), Yan Yinghui (3rd L) and Liang Jianhao of China celebrate after winning the men's sabre team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)
Lin Sheng (L) of China competes with Baba Haruna of Japan during the women's epee team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Xinhua/Huan Yueliang)
Yan Yinghui (L) of China competes with Tsubo Hayato of Japan during the men's sabre team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)
Liang Jianhao (L) of China competes with Tsubo Hayato of Japan during the men's sabre team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)
Liang Jianhao (L) of China competes with Yoshida Kento of Japan during the men's sabre team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)
Shen ChenPeng (L) of China competes with Yoshida Kento of Japan during the men's sabre team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)
Yan Yinghui (L) of China competes with Kokubo Mao of Japan during the men's sabre team third place match between China and Japan at the Asian Fencing Championships in Wuxi of east China's Jiangsu Province, on June 20, 2023. (Photo by Huan Yueliang/Xinhua)
