Choi Injeong

Choi In-jeong, born on May 21, 1990, in Geumsan, South Korea, developed an early interest in fencing. She began her fencing journey at Geumsan Girls’ Middle School after a coach observed her long jump performance during a physical education class and invited her to join a fencing club. This unexpected turn marked the beginning of a distinguished career in the sport. Choi pursued higher education in Physical Education at Daeduk College in Daejeon, South Korea, while honing her skills as an athlete. She represents the Republic of Korea and trains with the Gyeryong City Hall club under the guidance of national coach Gu Gyo-Dong.

Choi made her international debut in 2011 at a World Cup event in Nanjing, China. Over the years, she has accumulated numerous accolades, including two Olympic silver medals in the team women’s épée event at the 2012 London and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. She is also a three-time team Asian champion and a two-time individual Asian champion. Her career highlights include winning gold medals at the World Cup events in Dubai (2019), Kazan (2021), and Katowice (2022). In 2022, she achieved the ranking of no. 1 in the women’s épée world ranking for the 2021/22 season, marking a significant milestone. In February 2023, Choi was honored with the Grand Award at the 69th Korean Sport and Olympic Committee Sports Awards.

After a successful career spanning over a decade, Choi In-jeong announced her retirement following the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. At these games, she secured two gold medals, one in the individual women’s épée and another in the team women’s épée, ending a long-standing gold medal drought for South Korea in the continental event. Choi’s dedication and achievements have made her a notable figure in elite fencing, and she continues to be a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes.