At the 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou, East China’s Zhejiang Province, Team China’s women’s épée team, under the leadership of Olympic champion Sun Yiwen, faced a challenging defeat against the top-tier South Korean team, ending the semifinal match with a score of 27-30. Even with the result translating to a bronze medal finish, Sun, a 31-year-old seasoned fencer, remained optimistic and determined.
The team event was especially significant as it marked Sun’s debut in leading an entirely new team. The fresh lineup included emerging talents Xu Nuo, Shi Yuexin, and Tang Junyao. Following the match, Sun conveyed her belief in her team’s potential, emphasizing that the competition had been instrumental in providing the squad with invaluable experience. She also expressed confidence in the team’s prospects, highlighting their collective intention to dedicate themselves to future Olympic qualification events.
Sun’s resilience was on display even during the individual events. She encountered top-seeded South Korean fencer Song Sera in the quarterfinals of the women’s épée individual event. Although faced with a series of challenging matches, Sun exhibited remarkable poise and a positive attitude, evident in her composed demeanor and warm smiles during post-match interviews.
With three Asian Games participations under her belt, Sun holds the unique distinction of being the only Olympic champion in the current Chinese fencing delegation. Reflecting on her journey, she shared how the recent Asian Games held a special place in her heart, not only because it was hosted in her home country but also because it marked her final appearance in the prestigious event.
Sun’s accomplishments in the sport are noteworthy. Her victory at the Tokyo Olympics, where she became the first Chinese fencer to clinch the gold in the Olympic individual women’s épée event, stands testament to her talent. However, her journey has been fraught with challenges. Post her Olympic triumph, Sun grappled with injuries to her caudal vertebrae and knee. These setbacks delayed her return to training till October 2022. Discussing the impact of these injuries, Sun acknowledged the difficulties she faced in navigating her recovery and return to competition.
Nevertheless, her spirit remains unbroken. Sun is already setting her sights on the Paris 2024 Olympics, harboring aspirations to achieve another podium finish. She reflected on the sport’s history, noting the rarity of consecutive wins or podium finishes, and expressed her desire to challenge those odds.
The Hangzhou Asian Games also spotlighted the final appearances of several iconic athletes, including Uzbekistan’s 48-year-old gymnast Oksana Chusovitina and China’s 34-year-old table tennis maestro Ma Long.
Beyond her personal ambitions, Sun is focused on a broader goal: motivating and guiding the next generation of Chinese fencers. Drawing from her rich tapestry of experiences, she believes in her capacity to mentor younger athletes, enabling them to accelerate their learning curve. Facing age-related challenges and injury setbacks head-on, Sun’s unwavering commitment shines through as she declares, “No matter what difficulties I encounter, I will never give up.”
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