World No. 1 South Korea defeated third-ranked Hungary 45-41 in a thrilling final. Oh Sang-uk, Gu Bon-gil, and Park Sang-won were the starting lineup, with Do Gyeong-dong subbing in for Gu. Oh, who also claimed the individual sabre title earlier in the Games, became the first South Korean to win two gold medals at a single Olympics.
South Korea's gold medal streak is a remarkable feat. Only Hungary, with seven consecutive titles from 1928 to 1960, has achieved a longer run of dominance in the event. The men's sabre team competition was absent from the 2016 Olympics but returned to the program in Tokyo in 2021.
The final was a tense affair. South Korea jumped out to an early lead but Hungary mounted a strong challenge. With the score tied 28-28, substitute Do Gyeong-dong entered the match and delivered a crucial performance, helping South Korea pull away. In the final bout, Oh Sang-uk held off a determined Aron Szilagyi to secure the victory.
The gold medal is the first for Park Sang-won and Do Gyeong-dong, while Gu Bon-gil has now been part of all three championship teams.
South Korea's triumph underscores its status as a global fencing powerhouse. As the nation continues to produce world-class fencers, expectations for future success will only grow.
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