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PARK SANGYOUNG WINS OLYMPIC GOLD IN MEN'S INDIVIDUAL EPEE!

INTERNATIONAL FENCING FEDERATION
OLYMPIC NEWS RELEASE

RIO DE JANEIRO (August 9) – World No. 21 Park Sangyoung (KOR) won the Olympic gold medal in the men's individual epee on Tuesday, rallying from four points down to beat world champion Geza Imre (HUN).

Fighting an opponent more than twice his age, Park appeared to be overawed on sport's greatest stage, and was on the brink of defeat at 14-10.

But an outstanding comeback saw the Korean claim an startling victory, denying Imre what would have been an incredible Olympic gold.

"The Olympics are one of the biggest sporting events in the whole world and I tried to take over his [Imre's] weaknesses. It was impressive to win after being behind." - Sangyoung PARK (KOR)

Park's previous best results were the silver medal in this year's Asian championships and two Grand Prix wins in the 2013-14 season.

With the silver, Imre, who was competing in his fifth Olympics, has the distinction of being fencing's oldest individual medallist since 1952. He also won Olympic silver with Hungary in the team event in Athens 2004.

"He changed tactics at the end, because he never touched my weapon for the whole match. But after he changed it, and he touched my point I couldn't do nothing." - Geza Imre (HUN)

The bronze medal was won by world No. 1 Gauthier Grumier (FRA), who fought off a courageous comeback from world No. 13 Benjamin Steffen (SUI) to win by a score of 15-11.

"I devoted my life to an Olympic medal and I have it so I'm really happy. I was confident in myself for winning that last match ... so I'm really, really happy." - Gauthier Grumier (FRA)