Discussions
Wheelchair Fencing Kwon Hyo-kyung's Challenge Ends in Silver Defeat in Final
The stab of 'Butterfly Tester' Kwon Hyo-kyung (23, Hongseong County Office), who had challenged for the Paralympic wheelchair fencing gold medal for the first time in 36 years, ended up narrowly missing out on a silver medal.
On the 7th (Korean time), Kwon Hyo-kyung lost 6-15 to China's Chen Yuandong (30) in the final of the women's individual epee (sport grade A) wheelchair fencing event at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games held at the Grand Palais in Paris, France.
With this, Kwon Hyo-kyung became the first Korean athlete to win a medal in wheelchair fencing at the Paralympics in 28 years since the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics (bronze medal).
However, it is a bit disappointing that they missed out on the gold medal they had been aiming for since the 1988 Seoul Paralympics.
Korean wheelchair fencing reached its peak at the 1988 Seoul Games, winning three gold medals and one silver medal.
However, after winning a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Games, he had not won a medal in six Paralympic Games.
Kwon Hyo-kyung advanced to the final after defeating Hungary's Amarilla Beres 15-13 in a close semifinal.
In fact, ahead of the Paris Paralympics, there were not many expectations that Kwon Hyo-kyung would advance to the finals.
Although he has great potential, he was evaluated as falling short compared to the experienced world-class players.
At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Para Games, he won a bronze medal only in the team epee event, and finished in fifth place in all three individual events (sabre, foil, and epee).
However, Kwon Hyo-kyung's efforts and outstanding skills were proven in the semi-finals.
Kwon Hyo-kyung defeated 2020 Tokyo Paralympic gold medalist Beres to advance to the final.
His final opponent, Chen Yuandong, is a rising star who won the gold medal in the individual epee event at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games last year.
He has already won the gold medal in the team foil event at the Paris Paralympics.
Kwon Hyo-kyung was aggressive, but she couldn't stop Cheon Wi-andong's momentum.
They finished the first period tied 3-5, but started to fall apart early in the second period.
After a three-minute second period, the score was 4-12.
While Cheon Wi-andong scored 7 points, Kwon Hyo-kyung only scored 1 point.
Although the odds were stacked against her, Kwon Hyo-kyung mustered her last bit of strength. After scoring simultaneously in the third period, Kwon Hyo-kyung finally managed to hit Cheon Wi-andong’s acupoint. They were tied at 6-13.
But that was it. Kwon Hyo-kyung was unable to pursue any further and gave up two more points.
Hyo-kyung Kwon is a person with a congenital brain disorder.
Kwon Hyo-kyung, who suffered from discomfort on the right side of her body, was an introverted child and spent most of her time at home.
Drawing pictures alone was my hobby.
His life began to change after he entered middle school and took up wheelchair fencing at the recommendation of his special education teacher.
Hyo-kyung Kwon, who gradually emerged into the world, grew into the best wheelchair fencing player in the country.
He got a butterfly tattooed on his left wrist in 2022 ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
It meant to fly high like a butterfly.
Kwon Hyo-kyung walked the Paris stage with a butterfly and swung her sword freely in front of a packed Grand Palais