Versailles — South Korean athlete Seong Seung-min secured a bronze medal in the women's modern pentathlon at the Paris Olympics, marking a historic achievement as she became the first South Korean woman and the first Asian woman to win an Olympic medal in the sport. The event took place at the Chateau de Versailles, located west of Paris.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the 2024 world champion, concluded the competition behind Hungary's Michelle Gulyas and France's Elodie Clouvel. Gulyas broke the world record with 1,461 points, Clouvel scored 1,452 points, while Seong tallied 1,441 points. "Every athlete dreams of competing at an Olympic Games, and my dream became reality today," Seong reflected on her achievement. "When I crossed the finish line, I felt so overwhelmed, and I don't have words to describe that moment. I still can't believe this."
The competition comprised several disciplines, including fencing, equestrian show jumping, swimming, and the laser run—a combined event of running and shooting. Seong performed exceptionally in the swimming and show jumping events but faced challenges in shooting, which impacted her final score. Despite these hurdles, her strong performances early on secured her a spot on the podium.
This bronze contributes to South Korea's medal tally at the Paris Olympics, with Seong's teammate, Kim Sun-woo, finishing eighth in the same event. Seong's achievement is seen as a significant milestone for modern pentathlon in Asia, historically dominated by European athletes since its inclusion in the Olympics in 2000.