Shin A-Lam

Shin A-lam

At the Challenge International de Saint-Maur 2013
Personal information
Native name	신아람
Nationality	South Korean
Born	(1986-09-23) September 23, 1986 (age 30) Geumsan, South Korea
Sport
Sport	Fencing
Event(s)	Épée
Achievements and titles
Olympic finals	Silver (Team épée, 2012) 4th (Épée, 2012)
Medal record Women's fencing Representing  South Korea Olympic Games 2012 London Team épée World Championships 2010 Paris Team épée Asian Games 2006 Doha Team épée 2014 Incheon Epée 2014 Incheon Team épée 2006 Doha Épée 2010 Guangzhou Team épée Asian Championships 2012 Wakayama Épée 2015 Singapore Team Épée 2016 Wuxi Team Épée 2012 Wakayama Team Épée 2013 Shanghai Team Épée 2014 Suwon Épée 2014 Suwon Team Épée 2016 Wuxi Épée Universiade 2013 Kazan Épée 2013 Kazan Team Épée 2011 Shenzhen Épée
Updated on 13 Aug 2016.

Shin A-lam (Korean: 신아람, Korean pronunciation: [ɕi.na.ɾam] or [ɕin] [a.ɾam]; born 23 September 1986 in Geumsan, Chungcheongnam-do) is a épée fencer from South Korea.

She competed at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Women's épée in both the individual and team event.

In the semifinals of women's individual épée, she controversially lost to German Britta Heidemann after a timekeeping error extended bout time. The situation arose at the end of the one-minute overtime (sudden death) with the match tied 5-5. Without the extension, Shin would have won the tied bout on the basis of priority (the status is randomly awarded to one fencer prior to the overtime period, as accorded by the rules).

The South Koreans immediately appealed the decision stating that 0.02s had already elapsed and the final touch occurred after the end of the bout. In accordance with fencing bylaws, Shin A-lam could not leave the piste while the officials deliberated the situation. Sobbing profusely, she sat alone for over an hour awaiting their decision. Ultimately, the judges gave the victory to Heidemann.

An hour later Shin returned for the Bronze Medal match but lost to her Chinese opponent despite loud encouragement from the cheering crowd.

Later, the International Fencing Federation offered her a "special medal" after her controversial épée semi-final defeat. But she rejected the medal saying "It does not make me feel better because it's not an Olympic medal. I don't accept the result because I believe it was a mistake."