An Interview With the World’s Top Woman Fencer

Nam Hyeon-hui (26, Seoul City Hall, picture), 154cm tall and slim, toured Europe over a month with a foil. She has ranked number one for three consecutive weeks in the FIE’s women’s fencing rankings.

At Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of March 27, I interviewed Nam, who was returning home after winning a silver medal in two major tournaments, including the International Grand Prix on March 25 in France.

She said, “I want to stay number one for a long time. My goal is to win a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics.” Nam overcame a plastic surgery scandal last year to rank No. 1 in the world. The following is a peek at Nam’s 26-year-old life.

Game fowl –

“Known as ‘Peanut’ for my small size, my original nickname is ‘game fowl.’ Gentle and friendly in ordinary times, I become a fighter in a match. My competitive killer instinct moves me when I play.”

“Foreign players, a head taller than I, do not scare me. Defending while moving in quick pace, I thrust when I see an open spot in the opponent’s defense. It is such a pleasure to make an exact hit” (laughing).

Self control –

“I did not apply for cell phone overseas roaming (a service for expanded call coverage). If I can call my family in Korea, I would not concentrate on practicing.”

Seoul City Hall Coach Cho Jong-hyeong, who is coaching Nam for the sixth year, said, “Nam always practices six hours a day even when she is sick. Her self control is remarkable.”

Unforgettable memories –

“My most memorable moment was when Korea won the team play tourney in the 2005 Germany World Fencing Championships. When we were losing 18-19 in the final with Romania, it was my turn to play. I was able to plant hits on my opponent’s body by using her weak points, and we won a come-from-behind victory, 20-19.”

Plastic surgery –

“I was suffering from an infection after my left eyelash pricked my eye. The doctor advised double eyelid surgery. I concentrated on practice despite all the criticism directed against the plastic surgery.”

“It was after I won gold medals at the Doha Asian Games last December that people looked at me differently. Frankly speaking, I felt it was unfair. A woman can have plastic surgery to become more beautiful, can’t she? Is it a sin if a player has plastic surgery?”

Love and future –

“I have been seeing my boyfriend, Won Woo-yeong (a national team fencer), for 9 years since high school days. It is helpful in many ways to have a fencer as my boyfriend. I will think about marriage after winning a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics next year.”

“Given a chance, I would like to become a coach. It will be meaningful to coach a future world class fencer.”

Starting point –

“I was the smallest in my freshmen class at Seongnam Girls’ High. But I was the one who made the longest jump in physical exercise class. The teacher advised me to try fencing since I have ‘fast feet and a soft body.’”

“It was fun to try making thrusts at an opponent while moving side to side or back and forth. Sometimes exhausted by the tough training, I think, “I will smile at a match although I cry in training.”

Nam was headed to Gimpo Airport to fly to participate in a fencing tournament held in Jeju right after she came home. She looked like a “little giant,” when she said, “I cannot play due to an injury, but will cheer for my team players.”

beetlez@donga.com