Ahn Se-young, Yeo Jun-seok, Cho Byung-hyun, Lee Tae-seok, Stars of the Year of the Horse to Shine More in International Competition's Year of the Disease

*This content was translated by AI.

2026, the Year of the 丙午 has dawned. As major international sports competitions are concentrated, there are more things to see, so sports fans are also looking forward to this year. In particular, it is expected that the players in the year of the horse will perform well.

In 2026, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, the FIFA North American World Cup in June-July, and the Nagoya Asian Games in September-October will be held, starting with the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina D'Ampezzo in February.

Like a horse with a dynamic and energetic symbol, the most ideal picture is for them to play the main role in international sports competitions and promote Korea.

Among them, Ahn Se-young (24, Samsung Life Insurance) is drawing the most attention. Ahn Se-young won 11 times last year and was crowned 'G.O.A.T.' (Greatest Of All Time). It is the most winning women's singles player in badminton history and the most tie ever, including men's singles.

In addition, the winning rate of 94.8% (73 wins and 4 losses) and the season's prize money exceeding $1 million (about 1.447 billion won) were also the highest and first ever.

The Asian Games are waiting for this season. Three years ago at the Hangzhou Games, he performed a moving stage to catch Chen Yufei (China), who was a "natural enemy" while limping due to a knee injury in the final. Although it is an Asian Games, it is virtually the best stage in the world because all of the top 10 in the world are Asian nationals. Defending champion Ahn Se-young aims to protect the gold medal from numerous challengers.

The key is injury. Ahn Se-young, who had been suffering from chronic knee injuries, also suffered from thigh cramps in the final of the BWF World Tour Finals 2025, a match between kings on the 21st of last month.

Ahn Se-young said, "I think I managed my diet thoroughly throughout the season to reduce the risk of injury as much as possible. Still, since it's the end of the year, I'm going to feel free to eat food. It's a short break, but I think I have to prepare again. As always, if you do your best every day, you will have good results waiting for me," he said, expressing his determination.

Players from the national baseball team, who will play in the WBC, are also attracting attention. Professional baseball has been a box office hit by attracting 12 million spectators, the highest in Korean professional sports history, but it has another homework in international competitions. He was eliminated from the WBC group stage for the third consecutive time, and this time he aims to pass unconditionally.

Players born in the year of the end of 2002 should play a key role. They are Cho Byung-hyun (SSG Landers), who has been reborn as one of the best finishing pitchers in the KBO, and Kim Joo-won (NC Dinos), a shortstop in 2025.

They also had a career high season last year, and their skills have improved. With that rise, he should lead the national team in the WBC, where all the world's best players are out. Cho Byung-hyun was untouchable with 30 saves and a 1.60 ERA last year, but in an exhibition match against Japan on the 16th of last month, he got a painful vaccination with two runs with three outs in one inning and regained his mind.

Players born in 1990 include fellow LG Twins outfielder Park Hae-min and catcher Park Dong-won, who should play a key role in defense. As it could be the last international competition, he is determined to burn the last strength.

There are also horse stars who want to make their name known at the World Cup. They include Lee Tae-seok (FK Austria Vienna), the son of Lee Eul-yong, the "master of free kicks" and now a member of the national team, Lee Han-beom (Mit Willan), who is expected to center with Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich) in defense, and Um Ji-sung (Swansea City) and Jung Sang-bin (St. Louis City).

In particular, Lee Tae-seok, who was born at the time of the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, when his father made it to the semifinals, is determined to take charge of the left defense line as a key player while setting the record of playing in the father-son World Cup in his first World Cup. Based on his exquisite kick ability that resembles his father, he also made a soft landing on the European stage, and is already emerging as a key player in the national team, playing in 12 games in 2025 and scoring his A-match debut goal.

Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo), the national team's goalkeeper, was born in 1990. Still playing as a key goalkeeper for the national team, he is preparing for the World Cup, which can be his last career.

Yeo Jun-seok (24, Seattle University) is considered to be the player who will lead the revival of Korean basketball. Korean basketball is on the rise to the point where it has won two consecutive World Cup Asian qualifiers against China and is at the top of Group B. It is the first time in 12 years that China has won two consecutive games.

Another overseas player, Lee Hyun-joong (26, Belka, Nagasaki), was at the center, and although he failed to participate this time, Yeo Jun-seok is considered a key player who will play Korean basketball in another style.

Yeo Jun-seok, who already has many fans with his good looks, contrasts with Lee Hyun-joong, whose main specialty is three points, based on a bold under-the-basket attack with a cheerful dunk. Together with Lee Jung-hyun (27, Goyang Sono), Ha Yoon-ki (27, Suwon KT), and Lee Seung-hyun (35, Ulsan Hyundai Mobis), they are determined to write a new history at the Asian Games for the first time in 12 years following the 2002 Busan and 2014 Incheon competitions.

Judo star Heo Mi-mi (Gyeongbuk Sports Council), who chose Korea after abandoning her Japanese nationality according to her grandmother's will, is also aiming for the Asian Games gold medal as she was born in 2002. Heo Mi-mi, a descendant of independence activist Heo Seok, has already made headlines at the 2024 Paris Olympics for a unique story, and at that time, Heo Mi-mi won a silver medal in the women's 57kg class.

At the Nagoya Asian Games, he will challenge for the top spot. After winning the National Sports Festival this year, he won the gold medal at the International Judo Federation (IJF) Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, completely shaking off his injury and signaling a green light for the Asian Games gold medal. Moreover, it is expected to be more meaningful because it is the Asian Games in Japan.

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*This content was translated by AI.