After claiming his third straight gold medal in the men's sabre team event Wednesday, South Korean fencer Gu Bon-gil announced he will no longer compete in the Olympic Games. But his international career is far from over, because the 35-year-old wants to chase another milestone. Gu helped South Korea beat Hungary 45-41 in the final at Grand Palais in Paris. He has been on each of the past three gold medal-winning teams for South Korea, a streak that began in London a dozen years ago. Gu is the only South Korean fencer with three team Olympic gold medals, but at 35, he doesn't see himself back for another Olympics four years later in Los Angeles. "This is it for me, as far as the Olympics," Gu said. "Honestly, I felt like I've reached my limits when it comes to passion for the sport. I saw many young fencers here who threw themselves into their craft as they studied their opponents and prepared for matches. I didn't think I could match that." However, Gu also said he could make one final push and try to q ualify for the next Asian Games, set for 2026 in Nagoya, Japan. Gu is tied with five others for the most Asian Games gold medals won by a South Korean athlete with six. Gu is the only one of the group still active. "I really want to go for that record," Gu said. "If some of the younger guys step up and do well, then I'd be willing to step aside. For now, though, I want to go to the Asian Games." But first things first: Gu said he will take a year off from competition to spend time with his family. It has been a particularly long journey for Gu in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic forced both the Tokyo Olympic and the Hangzhou Asian Games, originally set for 2020 and 2022, to be postponed by one year. That tagged on extra years of preparation for those competitions, while cutting into the rest period before the Paris Olympics being held as scheduled. And more importantly for Gu, he and his wife are expecting their second child. "I have to stay home and help with the babies. Otherwise, I'll get kicked o ut of the house," Gu said with a smile. Source: Yonhap News Agency