Song Se-ra has claimed victory in the women's fencing epee individual event, setting her sights on becoming a two-time champion. Attention is now on whether she can add to her medal tally with a second consecutive team event title.
On September 22, at the Sky Expo in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, Song defeated Singapore's Tikhana Abdul Rahman Kiriya 15-8 in the final to secure the gold medal. Her journey to gold was marked by thrilling matches, winning both the quarterfinal and semifinal by narrow margins of 15-14.
Song's achievements are noteworthy. A dominant fencer, she has won the individual title at the World Championships twice, in 2022 and this year. However, she had previously struggled to secure gold in major international competitions like the Olympics and Asian Games. Notably, at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, she lost in the final to her senior teammate Choi In-jeong, settling for silver.
After being crowned Asia's top fencer for the first time in three years, Song expressed her joy in a post-match interview, saying, "It tastes so good. I didn't know it would feel like this." She added, "I had a strong desire to win a gold medal in an international competition since I had none. I also felt I needed to show something to my team."
Looking ahead, she emphasized the importance of preparation for the team event, stating, "I need to stay focused and prepare well. The individual event can feel a bit lonely, but in the team event, I can lean on my teammates and also contribute when needed, which feels more reassuring."
Song will compete in the women's epee team event on September 25, teaming up with Im Tae-hee, Lee Hye-in, and Yang Seung-hye. While she entered the individual event as a challenger, she will defend her title in the team event. If she secures another gold medal, she will achieve a remarkable double victory at the tournament.
Born in 1993, Song previously won a silver medal in the women's epee team event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Among the current team members, she and Lee Hye-in are the only ones who participated in that event.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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