The Proud BUFSian Who Won the World Youth Fencing Championship

Cub-reporter Hwang Chae-ryeong

cindywarnet@naver.com

Q: Could you please introduce yourself?

A: Hi, I’m Choi Dong-yun, Dept. of Sport & Leisure Studies.

Q: When did you decide to be a fencer?

A: When I was young, I liked sports, but I didn’t think professional athlete as a dream. Also, I had no attention on fencing. In middle school, I joined the Saturday program to play ping-pong. I went to the gym to play ping-pong on the first Saturday of the week, and I realized that the teacher leading ping-pong was the teacher of the fencing

department. He saw me play ping-pong and asked me if I have any intention of fencing.

Choi Dong-yun playing the game during this competition. 

Provided by Choi Dong-yun 

Q: Do you have any difficulties or worthwhile moments recently?

A: Last year, I had difficulties because the match was canceled or delayed by COVID-19. In case I don’t know when the match will take place, I just continued intense training. Besides, I had a lot of worries about going to college. So, when I was 19years old, it was both mentally and physically difficult. When I felt rewarding, it was when my grades came out well. It was satisfactory to me when I was able to sharpen and do my best through training and practice matches and get good grades in the game, and it was nice to be able to repay my coach as well. Especially, when I was selected for youth this time, it was most rewarding and happy.

Q: Is there any special episode during you practice and the championship?

A: Well, I have a special event. On my high school competition, during the three games in a row, my grades were very poor. I couldn’t get a medal, it was too hard mentally, and it was hard enough to get almost half abandonment. Then, of course, with the thinking that I would fall, I competed in the general match. The general match is a game from semi-pro team to middle school team, so it is difficult to expect good scores like in the high school competition. In addition, it is difficult to be selected for the youth team since the youth selection is also a ranking based on the general match scores. Nevertheless, I surprisingly won the general match by beating someone from the national team and I also won the high school competition. If I had lost that time, I would not have been able to become a player at this level now.

Won the junior&cadet fencing world championships. 

Provided by Choi Dong-yun

Q: What kind of efforts did you have to make to get a good score in the championship?

A: I tried to stay positive mentally. I think Korea has a lot of momentum compared to foreign countries. So, I didn’t really worry about technology or step. Because, I am tall and have a fast speed, I thought that my techniques would work if I adapted well in foreign matches. That is why I focused on the mental side. Even if I am wining by a large margin while playing, if my mentality gradually collapses due to one or two stabs, I will not be able to perform well. So, before I started playing, I kept telling myself I am the best. When entering the game, I tried to judge more calmly than anyone else, and I tried not to give up until the end. When preparing for the next match, I think I was able to come to this position thanks to the desire to go further than the past.

Q: Can you give us about your tips to not feel nervous in the match?

A: Before I enter a match, I drink water or run on the spot. But the most important thing is to move a lot in the stadium. If you move a lot, you will be relaxed and you will be able to grasp the style of the opponent. So, when entering the first match, I do not run completely in my own style, but move a lot, analyze the opponent, and run the game. Then the tension is all gone, and when I’m resting, I can focus on the game while watching the style of the other players.

Q: Do you have anything to say to BUFSians who are trying hard to achieve their own dreams?

A: I just want to tell you that when you play and let loose then just go for it and have a good time. Of course, I would like to say that when playing, make sure to play with it and make sure that you do exercise, assignments, and commit to what you have decided to do. When you grow up like that, you will learn to know when to play and when to focus. Also, I think we need a sincere attitude. I want to make you and my friends know and realize that great success comes only when persistence is mixed with efforts.