The Iron Girls are growing rapidly, reflecting the time they have spent training hard.
In the 8th episode of tvN's 'Iron Girls 2' directed by Bang Geul-i, broadcast on the 29th, Yui, Geumsaerok, Park Juhyun, and Seol In-a showcased their upgraded skills in the second full sparring session, proving their efforts leading up to the first boxing competition, which is just 30 days away.
Since the first full sparring session, the Iron Girls, who have been dedicated to training, caught attention by starting underwater training disguised as water play in Gapyeong, known as a water play paradise. They have been strengthening their stamina with various training routines, including underwater jumping while keeping their guard up, underwater shuttle running with a 2.5 kg plate, underwater boxing routine training, and diving shadow boxing training.
As the first boxing competition approaches, the Iron Girls entered their second full sparring session. Their opponents ranged from two months to eleven months into their boxing training, but many were former taekwondo national representatives or had experience in jiu-jitsu and participated in MMA competitions, indicating that it would be a challenging match.
First, Geumsaerok faced off against a former taekwondo player and struggled against an opponent who incorporated taekwondo steps into boxing. Geumsaerok anticipated timings and opportunities, showcasing tenacity with fierce exchanges and punches without breaking eye contact.
Meanwhile, Yui caused her opponent to panic with her jabs and one-two punches using her long reach. Even when pressed by her opponent, the difference in reach allowed Yui to land effective hits, and she maximized her advantages by accurately striking with infinite one-two punches. Moreover, rather than tiring during sparring, she seemed to be more relaxed, stating, "I think I need to do one round before the competition," showcasing her confidence as the stamina queen.
Seol In-a, the 'boxing talent' of the Iron Girls, engaged in an intense battle against an opponent well-versed in jiu-jitsu and MMA, illustrating a clear class difference. In particular, during the first round, Seol In-a demonstrated her power as a true fighter, landing strong punches, pushing her opponent with her steps, and retaliating with counter-attacks after being hit, revealing her fierce prowess as "Seol Simba" in the ring.
In the second round, Seol In-a's tactical counterattacks and two clinch situations heightened the engagement as she awaited opportunities to strike her opponent. After getting caught by an opponent's hook and momentarily becoming stiff, Seol In-a awakened to the sign indicating 10 seconds remaining and finished strong with a flurry of punches. Kim Dong-hyun remarked on the sparring, saying, "It was amazing and an honor to see such competition, such a level, and such punching power in sparring and the amateur sports competition," adding, "I, as the free observer, felt like the winner."
Lastly, 'Mad Boxer' Park Juhyun showcased calmness while focusing on sparring, accurately jabbing when opportunities arose and maintaining observation to evade. Most notably, her performance after stepping in to successfully jab and then dodge surprising other spectators reflected her rapid improvement.
Afterward, the Iron Girls had a time to objectively view their plays through sparring footage with coaches Kim Dong-hyun and Kim Ji-hoon, enhancing their strategies and raising expectations for further development in the future.
[Photo] Capture from the video of tvN's 'Iron Girls 2'.
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