South Korea's Park rally to earn gold in men's epee

Source:Xinhua Published: 2016/8/10 9:46:50

South Korean fencer Park Sang-young posted a remarkable comeback from 10-14 down to beat Geza Imre of Hungary in the final of men's individual epee at the Rio Olympics.

Park's victory gave South Korea their third gold medal in Rio. The 20-year-old won his nation's first-ever gold in epee.

"My opponent fenced very aggressively, I knew that, but I guess I sort of forgot. But when the score was 14-10 that was when I started to remember that and to play to that style (aggressive)," said Park.

Park, the youngest competitor in the competition, also eliminated World No.2 Enrico Garozzo of Ital in the round of 16.

Imre, the reigning world champion at age 41, is the oldest fencer to win a medal in 64 years, but it means nothing to him.

"Yeah, it's great but it's the oldest loser. I had another silver medal and it's different. A gold and a silver is different.

"Silver medal isn't bad, but I already have a silver medal from Athens 2004 in men's epee team event. I'm grateful for the silver but I was one touch away from the gold medal," said Imre, who participates in Olympic men's epee individual for the fifth time.

Top ranked Gauthier Grumier of France took the bronze with a 15-11 win over Switzerland's Benjamin Steffen.

"It was a success. I am not the guy who lost two times today. I lost but I had the chance to win the medal, so I finished with a victory so it's really important for me," Grumier said.

Posted in: Olympics

blog comments powered by Disqus