Kim Sun-woo (left) and Seo Chang-wan on June 16 celebrate after winning the mixed relay at the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships in Zhengzhou, China. (UIPM)

By Koh Hyunjeong

The national pentathlon team on June 16 showed its best performance in history at the UIPM Pentathlon World Championships in Zhengzhou, China, including winning the gold medal in the mixed relay.

Korea won four gold, two silver and one bronze to claim the overall title.

Seong Seung-min became the nation's first woman to win an individual medal at the championship. Her combined score of 1,434 in fencing, swimming, horseback riding and laser run, which combines running and pistol shooting, edged out that of runner-up Blanka Guzi from Hungary by a single point.

"I feel so honored and proud to win my first individual gold medal at my third world championship," Seong said in an interview with the UIPM after the tournament. "Because I can return to Korea with a good feeling before the Olympics, I think I can prepare  even harder."

The Paris Summer Olympics will run from July 26 to Aug. 11 in the French capital.

hjkoh@korea.kr