Her dynamic style suited sabre well, leading to numerous successes. She became the first female fencer from South Korea to win a gold medal at the Olympics, achieving this feat in individual sabre at the 2012 London Games. Her team also made history by winning bronze in team sabre at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Injuries and Challenges

Throughout her career, she faced several injuries. In 2015, she sustained a pelvis injury that troubled her again during the 2018 Asian Games. In February 2020, she underwent surgery for an Achilles tendon injury. Despite these setbacks, she continued to perform at a high level.

Awards and Honours

Her contributions to fencing have been recognised with multiple awards. In 2019, she received the Order of Sports Merit Cheongnyong [Blue Dragon] Medal. She was also named Female Fencer of the Year by the Korean Fencing Federation in 2016 and Fencer of the Year in 2011. Additionally, she was a torch bearer for the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang.

Personal Life and Influences

She is married to actor Lee Dong-Jin since 2017, who has been a significant influence on her career. Her hobbies include blogging and mountain climbing. She holds degrees in Health Studies and Sport Studies from Wonkwang University in Iksan.

Retirement Plans

After winning bronze in individual sabre and gold in team sabre at the 2018 Asian Games, she considered retiring from international competition. However, she decided to continue until after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She later announced plans to retire following the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Coaching and Club Affiliations

She trains under coaches Jeon Hee-Sook at her club and Lee Kook-Hyun at the national level. She represents the Seoul Metropolitan Government club and is known for her left-handed fencing style.

Her journey from a middle school student trying out fencing to becoming an Olympic gold medallist is a testament to her dedication and resilience. As she prepares for retirement, her legacy in South Korean fencing remains firmly established.