Zhang, Jun defend modern pentathlon titles at Hangzhou Asiad

Zhang Mingyu (C) of China, Kim Sunwoo of South Korea (L) and Bian Yufei of China pose for photos during the awarding ceremony of the women's Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

HANGZHOU, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Modern pentathletes Zhang Mingyu of China and South Korea's Jun Woong-tae successfully defended their Asian Games titles in individual modern pentathlon events here on Sunday.

Zhang, 21, who clinched the women's individual title five years ago in Jakarta, secured 300 points in the riding phase, added 242 from fencing, and earned 281 in swimming. Starting third in the laser run, her efficient shooting and running allowed her to cross the finish line first.

Zhang captured the gold with 1,406 points. South Korea's Kim Sun-woo took silver with 1,386 points, while Zhang's teammate, Bian Yufei, tallied 1,374 points to win bronze.

"I did better in the riding and swimming but I have to improve on my fencing," said Zhang after winning the gold before the home crowd. "It feels completely different to winning anything abroad, because there is so much support here."

With this triumph, Zhang also secured a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

In the women's team event, the trio of Zhang, Bian, and Zhong Xiuting claimed victory with 4,094 points. Japan secured second place with 3,705 points, while South Korea took third with 3,574 points.

In the men's competition, Jun retained his title with a score of 1,508 points. His compatriot, Lee Ji-hun, came in second with 1,492 points, and China's Li Shuhuan clinched the bronze with 1,484 points.

For the men's team event, South Korea dominated with a total of 4,477 points, while China and Japan secured the silver and bronze, respectively.

Zhang Mingyu of China competes during the women's individual riding show jumping of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Zhang Mingyu (L) of China competes during the women's individual fencing bonus round of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Zhang Mingyu of China competes during the women's individual laser-run of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Zhang Mingyu of China reacts after the women's individual laser-run of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Zhang Mingyu of China is pictured during the awarding ceremony of the women's Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Kim Sunwoo of South Korea is pictured during the awarding ceremony of the women's Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Bian Yufei of China competes during the women's individual swimming of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Chen Yan of China competes during the men's individual riding show jumping of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Jun Woongtae of South Korea competes during the men's individual riding show jumping of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Li Shuhuan of China competes during the men's individual riding show jumping of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Seo Changwan of South Korea competes during the men's individual riding show jumping of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Zhang Linbin of China competes during the Men's Individual Riding Show Jumping of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Li Shuhuan (L) of China and Kirill Stadnik of Kazakhstan compete during the Men's Individual Fencing Bonus Round of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Lee Jihun (L) of South Korea and Kirill Stadnik of Kazakhstan compete during the Men's Individual Fencing Bonus Round of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Xie Linzhi of China competes during the Women's Individual Riding Show Jumping of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Li Shuhuan of China competes during the Men's Individual Riding Show Jumping of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Participants compete during the Women's Individual Laser-Run of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Silver medalists Team Japan, gold medalists Team China and bronze medalists Team South Korea (L-R) attend the awarding ceremony of Women's Team of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Silver medalists Team Japan, gold medalists Team China and bronze medalists Team South Korea (L-R) attend the awarding ceremony of Women's Team of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Jun Woongtae of South Korea passes the finish line during the Men's Individual Laser-Run of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Jun Woongtae of South Korea passes the finish line during the Men's Individual Laser-Run of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)

Silver medalist South Korea's Lee Jihun (L) , Gold medalist South Korea's Jun Woongtae (C) and Bronze medalist China's Li Shushan attend the awarding ceremony of Men's Individual of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)

Silver medalists Team China, Gold medalists Team South Korea and Bronze medalists Team Japan (L-R) attend the awarding ceremony of Men's Team of Modern Pentathlon at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 24, 2023. (Xinhua/Sun Fei)