“I’ve never seen a boy with the capacity of San Kim, he’s spectacular”

Quality, talent and above all a lot of work. These are the keys to success. San Kim (A Coruña, 2007). “Besides his innate skills and ability for swordsmanship, and his understanding of it, he stood out from an early age. Besides having incredible talent… He’s on the rise right now. I have been in this sport for 35 years and I have never seen a man with such abilities. It’s amazing, spectacular. Although, without work, you don’t get to the top,” he says Yann Breteau, youth coach.

Despite his age, he was announced last weekend individual champion of Spain up to 17 years old and team up to 20 years old. “I went in very nervous. I’ve been waiting for that moment all season. After the competition, I felt relieved because the work paid off. It was hard for me to believe that I won,” says Coruña, who emphasizes that his victory is also Yaa’s. «He was one of the favorites, but he did not perform for three weeks, so he lacked rhythm and sensation, to his credit he won well…”, comments Jun Kim, Sana’s father. According to his father, the young fencer achieved all the goals of the season. «He won almost all championships in all categories. It comes little by little. You have to remember that he is only 15 years old…,” comments Jun.

Fencing as concentration

By chance, San started playing this sport. He was a restless child, and his parents were looking for an activity that would help him concentrate. “We took him on a course and he connected with Yanna,” Jun recalls. Now he trains 20 hours a week, booking competitions for Saturday or Sunday. “He can participate in about 25 a year, including international championships,” says his father. «He trained with those above from the beginning. Because? Because he wanted to, he wasn’t afraidpoints out Yaan.

The native of Coruña, who finished as number one in the children’s and second in the cadet rankings last year, is clear that he wants to dedicate himself to fencing professionally. “The federation has him on their radar and he will probably go to Madrid in two years and be on the program of the national team. Looks good. He would get a scholarship and they would help him study (he wants physiotherapy). Everything is taking shape little by little so that it goes from the promise to the present future,” explains his coach.

His margin of superiority is total. «This was the year of his dedication, he managed to beat the best. He was beating people of 22 or 23 years old who are going to absolute world championships. I think he could be among the best scorers in Spain ever, and at the international level he could become a world medal winner”, points out Breteau, who adds that with work, persistence and planning, he will achieve it.

sacrificed life

Because of all that, they have to respect his injuries, and for now, that’s how it was. If this does not happen, you are in the best hands. «His father is an acupuncturist doctor, he is always ready for him. He arrives from the competition, and it turns him around like a porcupineYann says with a laugh.

Between competitions and training hours, it is difficult to balance school work with sports. “Many times he has to be away, so we hired a person to help him. He goes course by course, he doesn’t neglect that aspect, “explains the father. With so many obligations, San lacks free time to go out with company. “He assumed it, he knows he has to sacrifice one for the other. On the one hand, we are sorry, because he is at an age to enjoy with his friends – says Jun.

Mentally strong, patient, physically resistant, a good friend, generous and modest. Yann ran out of adjectives to describe San, who, like every summer, will go to Korea this vacation for intensive training with the coach there. Coruña doesn’t stop. “When I return, we will look at the upcoming season with two super-goals: the Spanish and the World Championships,” concludes Breteau.

“He has some colleagues who are looking for him every day”

“What has allowed San to reach this level is that he has teammates who are better than him and who have pushed him to improve physically, technically and mentally every day,” says Yann, who emphasizes that the whole team is amazing.

German Ferreiro

Job

For a coach, he is the biggest worker. “He doesn’t have as much quality as the others, but he has such a desire to succeed in fencing that he works as many hours as necessary, and he is also a very good student,” emphasizes Breteau. Thanks to him, they won the Spanish junior team championship this year. Ferreiro trains in Madrid with the national team.

Pablo Regueiro

team feeling

“For me, it is the one that is best spent. He is a little messy, but he is a very good companion. They have a sense of team that makes them shine in team competitions as partners who are technically better. He gave his life not to let the team down. “The individual does not find time or motivation to achieve a result for himself”, explains the coach.

Bruno Winter

Victim

His mother is Galician and has been living in London for years. “He trained in one of the best rooms in the city, and when he came on vacation, he practiced with me. He joined the club and comes to competitions from there. You have achieved all team achievements. He is a great worker, but a bit stubborn. He is very passionate about this sport,” says Yann. Last year he was the champion of Spain under 17 years.

Other swordsmen

In the Esgrima Atlántica club there are also more young people who want to continue growing. Gael Álvarez, last year’s champion of Spain, Rodrigo George, Antón Rodríguez, Martín Ferreiro and Mei Carrerira.