Underdog Choi Se-bin wins Korean-on-Korean sabre match to reach semifinals

Choi Se-bin beat teammate Jeon Ha-young to advance to the semifinals in the women’s individual sabre contest at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Choi Se-bin, left, in action against Jeon Ha-young in the round of eight of the women's individual sabre contest at the 2024 Paris Olympics at Grand Palais in Paris on Monday. [REUTERS/YONHAP]

Choi Se-bin beat teammate Jeon Ha-young to advance to the semifinals in the women’s individual sabre contest at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Choi is the sole remaining Korean in the competition after beat the higher-ranked Jeon 15-14 in a close-fought round of eight match at Grand Palais in Paris on Monday.

She was the lowest-ranked of the three Koreans to make it to the round of 16 at world No. 24, behind Jeon’s No. 13 and Yoon Ji-su, who fell to Manon Apithy-Brunet of France in the round of 16, at No. 17.

Choi will now face home-town favorite No. 5 Apithy-Brunet in the semifinals later on Monday. It’s a tough draw for the 23-year-old Korean fencer, who is the lowest-ranked fencer left in the competition. On the other side of the bracket are France’s world No. 2 Sara Balzer and No. 6 Olga Kharlan of Ukraine.

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