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Members of South Korea's women's sabre national team celebrate holding the Taegeukgi after defeating Japan to win the sabre team final at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on the 27th. / Yonhap

South Korea's women's sabre fencing team has returned to the top of the Asian Games team event for the first time in eight years.

The national team—composed of Jeon Ha-young (Seoul City Hall), Kim Jeong-mi, Seo Ji-yeon (both Ansan City Hall), and Choi Se-bin (Daejeon City Hall)—defeated Japan 45-31 in the women's sabre team final at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at Aichi Sky Expo in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on the 27th to secure the gold medal.

After winning gold at the 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, South Korea settled for bronze at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, but reclaimed the title at this tournament after eight years. This marks the 20th gold medal for the South Korean delegation at these Games.

Receiving a bye in the round of 16, South Korea defeated Hong Kong 45-28 in the quarterfinals and then edged past China in the semifinals to advance to the final.

In the final, Choi Se-bin seized early momentum by closing out the first bout 5-2 against individual gold medalist Misaki Emura. Jeon Ha-young and Seo Ji-yeon subsequently widened the margin, cementing control of the match.

South Korea faced an unexpected development in the seventh bout when Seo Ji-yeon collided with Yui Sano and was replaced by Kim Jeong-mi, but the team remained composed. In the final ninth bout, anchor Jeon Ha-young scored the 45th touch against Emura to seal the championship.

South Korea finished the fencing competition at these Games in second place overall with four gold, four silver, and two bronze medals, trailing Japan (six gold, two silver, four bronze). South Korea's streak of finishing first overall in Asian Games fencing, which began at the 2010 Guangzhou Games, came to an end at this tournament.

                                                                                                          Lee Jang-won