Seong Seung-min is only 23, but she already deserves to be called a legend of South Korean women's modern pentathlon. At the 2024 Paris Olympics she became the first Asian woman to win a medal in the event, taking bronze, and later that year became the first South Korean woman to win an individual world title at the Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne world championships. Last month she teamed with Seo Chang-wan to win gold in the mixed relay at the world championships, and on the 20th she claimed South Korea's first gold medal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
Seong finished first in the women's modern pentathlon final at Anjo Sports Park in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, with 1,492 points across fencing, swimming, obstacle racing and the laser run, which combines shooting and running. She placed first in fencing with 250 points, fourth in the obstacle event with 358, seventh in swimming with 295 and second in the laser run with 589, finishing comfortably ahead of China's Zhang Mingyu, who was second with 1,460 points, and Yu Xiao, who was third with 1,447. Zhang's bid for a third consecutive Asian Games title was denied by Seong.
It is the first individual Asian Games gold medal in the history of South Korean women's modern pentathlon. The country had won team golds before, but Seong is the first to win the individual event. Seong, who has built a record of firsts, also took the honor of delivering South Korea's first gold of these Games.
After opening with the best score in fencing, Seong placed fourth in the obstacle event, introduced at the Asian Games for the first time in place of riding, and held her overall lead. She clocked 29.26 seconds in the obstacle course, her best official time in competition.
Seong started the closing laser run first, 18 seconds ahead of the second-place competitor, and made no major errors in the shooting stage, crossing the finish line 32 seconds clear of Zhang.
Seong switched from swimming to modern pentathlon in her first year of middle school, a decision that proved to be a masterstroke. Living up to her "legend" nickname, she said, "I think I've become the kind of athlete who doesn't get too nervous and can enjoy the atmosphere of the venue a little." She added, "I won a medal with the title of 'first' at the Paris Olympics, and now I've won the first individual gold as well, so I'm very happy. I won't settle here, and I'll become an athlete who works even harder."
South Korea's second gold also came in modern pentathlon. The team of Jun Woong-tae of the Gangwon Provincial Sports Council, Seo Chang-wan of the Jeonnam Provincial Office and Lee Jong-hyun of the Daejeon Metropolitan City Office finished first in the men's team event, which was decided by combined individual scores. Jun, who swept the individual and team titles at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, took an easy first step toward a second consecutive Asian Games double.
