Korea's First Gold Medalist in Fencing
Published: 04 Jan. 2003, 19:25
When Kim showed up the next day for an interview with "Joongang Ilbo," he was limping. "My muscles are still tense," Kim said. "It's hard to walk." His smile accompanied a slow speech style, thick with a Chungcheong province accent. He looked more like a friendly neighbor than an intensely ambitious athlete.
Joongang Ilbo (JOINS): Have you called home, yet?
Kim Young-ho (KY): My wife congratulated me. My mother in Noonsan city said, "Thank you." My three-year-old son, Dong-su, said, "Dad, you're the best. I miss you. Come home soon."
JOINS: What's the significance of this gold medal?
KY: I'm proud to have written a new chapter in Korean fencing history. The match was broadcast live on television, adding a drama-like element. I expect the popularity of this sport to go up.
JOINS: In the final round, the score went from 14-11 to 14-14. How did you feel as your opponent caught up?
KY: I wanted to finish the match quickly, and that's where I messed up. It was a mistake to attack when I was up 14-13. When Bissdoff counter-attacked, I lost focus. At the last moment, I lunged but he hit me and scored.
JOINS: Weren't you thinking of giving up fencing at some point?
KY: In my fourth and last match of the men's 1998 World Fencing Championship, victory seemed certain. Somehow my French opponent defeated me. I decided not to take up the sword again, but I also wanted to settle the score. Eventually I started training.
JOINS: What are your future plans?
KY: I was going to retire if I won gold. But the people close to me are urging me to try for the next Olympics.
JOINS: How has your wife, Kim Young-ah, who was once on the national fencing team, supported you?
KY: I'm lucky if I'm home four to five months out of a year. But she understands. We've been together for only 10 years, but when she looks in my eyes, she knows what I'm feeling. When I lose a match she gives me technical advice. I'm a lucky man to have her for a wife.
by Jung Young-jae
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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