Korean fencers to face off in women's sabre round of 8 match

Only one Korean fencer will be able to reach the semifinals of the women’s individual sabre contest at the 2024 Paris Olympics as teammates Choi Se-bin and Jeon Ha-young have been drawn against each other in the round of eight.

Korea's Choi Se-bin, left, competes against Japan's Misaki Emura in the women's sabre individual round of 16 during the Paris Olympics at the Grand Palais in Paris on Monday. [AFP/YONHAP]

Only one Korean fencer will be able to reach the semifinals of the women’s individual sabre contest at the 2024 Paris Olympics as teammates Choi Se-bin and Jeon Ha-young have been drawn against each other in the round of eight.

Choi and Jeon both comfortably advanced through the round of 16 at Grand Palais in Paris on Monday, leaving behind Yoon Ji-su, who was beaten 15-9 by Manon Apithy-Brunet of France.

Choi advanced after beating world No. 1 Misaki Emura of Japan 15-7, while Jeon saw off Nada Hafez by the same score.

At world No. 13, Jeon is the highest ranked Korean fencer in the women’s sabre discipline. Yoon was second, at No. 17, with Choi at No. 24.

But the bracket means that only one Korea will be in with a shot at medaling, as either Choi or Jeon will be forced to leave the piste early by their own teammate. That also guarantees that one Korean fencer will reach the semifinals, making it to the final four and a realistic shot at a medal.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]