Korea end women's epee individual competition empty-handed

Song Se-ra lost 15-6 to Eszter Muhari of Hungary in the women’s epee individual table of 16 at the Paris Olympics at Grand Palais in Paris on Saturday, ending Korea’s last hope of medaling in the women's individual event.

Korean fencer Song Se-ra, right, reacts after losing to Eszter Muhari of Hungary in the women’s epee individual table of 16 at the Paris Olympics at Grand Palais in Paris on Saturday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

Song Se-ra lost 15-6 to Eszter Muhari of Hungary in the women’s epee individual table of 16 at the Paris Olympics at Grand Palais in Paris on Saturday, ending Korea’s last hope of medaling in the women's individual event.

Song, 30, was the only Korean fencer to reach the table of 16, after Kang Young-mi and Lee Hye-in crashed out earlier in the competition.

The loss means that Song will remain without a medal in the individual competition at the Olympics.

She has won medals in individual epee competitions both at the world championships and Asian Games, but only secured a silver medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics team competition.

The veteran fencer still has an opportunity to redeem herself in the team competition that starts on July 29.

Over in the men’s competition, Oh Sang-uk was due to face Fares Arfa of Canada in the sabre individual table of eight later in the day.

Korea has won 16 medals in fencing and claimed five — one gold, one silver and three bronze — at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

BY PAIK JI-HWAN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]