"We will return with the Taegeukgi planted at the highest place." AG D-30, National Team Players Declare Firm Resolve [Jincheon Media Day Scene]

*This content was translated by AI.

"We will return with the Taegeukgi planted at the highest place."

With 30 days until the opening of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) Summer Asian Games, South Korean national team players reaffirmed their firm resolve. Whether it was their first time participating in the Asian Games or having competed many times before, all shared the same goal. The experience of winning medals at the Asian Games and the regret of not standing on the podium both served as motivation.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee held the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games D-30 media day event at the Champion House of the national athlete village in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province on the 20th. The event was attended by KSOC President Yoo Seung-min, delegation leader Lee Sang-hyun, athlete village director Kim Taek-soo, and 14 national team players: Lee Seung-hyun (basketball), Lee Jae-seong and Namadi Joeljin (both athletics), Im Ae-ji (boxing), Song Se-ra (fencing), Yeo Seo-jeong (gymnastics), Heo Mi-mi and Kim Min-jong (both judo), Jeon Woong-tae and Sung Seung-min (both modern pentathlon), Cha Young-seok (volleyball), Park Hye-jeong (weightlifting), and Kim Woo-min and Hwang Sun-woo (both swimming). They shared their resolve ahead of the competition.

Lee Jae-seong of athletics, who won a bronze medal in the men's 4x400m relay at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, said, "This is my second Asian Games since Hangzhou," and declared his determination: "At Hangzhou, we won a surprise bronze medal. This time, we will win a surprise gold medal." He added, "Compared to Japan or China, we may be behind, but the players' skills have improved significantly this year. I believe we can achieve even better results than before."

Namadi Joeljin, who won the gold medal in the men's 4x400m relay at last year's Asian Championships alongside Lee Jae-seong, also stated, "We will prepare diligently to achieve good results commensurate with our hard work," and emphasized, "We are riding a positive momentum. Although it is my first Asian Games and I am nervous, I have been continuously breaking my personal records this year. I believe we must approach the Asian Games with confidence that we can break records again and contend for medals."

Song Se-ra, who won gold in the team event and silver in the individual event at the Hangzhou Games, said, "We had good results at Hangzhou and concluded things well," but also declared her resolve: "We will not rest on those achievements; we will prepare well with a mindset of taking on new challenges." She explained, "As always, training has been tough. With many players in the national team requiring rehabilitation and treatment, we are preparing for competitions while managing both. I found that when I focused entirely on my fencing rather than obsessing over results, I performed better. Even now, I am trying to enjoy fencing without thinking about results."

Jeon Woong-tae, who won the double crown (individual and team) at the Hangzhou Asian Games in modern pentathlon, said, "There are changes in the modern pentathlon events (equestrian → obstacle course). We have prepared extensively to adapt quickly," and added, "We will return with the Taegeukgi planted at the highest place." Sung Seung-min, who won a bronze medal in the team event at Hangzhou and became the first Asian athlete to win a bronze medal in modern pentathlon at the 2024 Paris Olympics, also stated, "At Hangzhou, I only competed in the team event. This time, I will return with medals in both the individual and team events." He added, "If we avoid mistakes in the obstacle course and complete all other events without errors, we should be able to achieve good results."

Swimmers Hwang Sun-woo and Kim Woo-min, who were 'multiple medalists' at the Hangzhou Games, declared their resolve to stand on the podium multiple times at this tournament as well. At Hangzhou, Hwang won two gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, while Kim won three gold and one silver medal. Kim emphasized, "Since I won three gold medals at Hangzhou, I will strive to be a multiple medalist again here." Hwang pledged, "Since I won many medals at Hangzhou, I will return with many medals from this tournament as well."

Im Ae-ji, who won a bronze medal in the women's 54kg boxing division at the 2024 Paris Olympics, said, "I lost in my first match at the last Asian Games. This time, I will do my utmost to reach the final," revealing her determination to overcome past regrets. Yeo Seo-jeong, competing in artistic gymnastics for the first time in eight years at the Asian Games, stated, "Just as it was regrettable that I couldn't compete at Hangzhou, I will achieve good results at this tournament." Weightlifter Park Hye-jeong continued the momentum from her gold medal at Hangzhou, declaring, "I will do my best to bring back good results commensurate with our preparation."

Judo player Kim Min-jong, who won a bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games and silver at the Paris Olympics, said, "At both Hangzhou and Paris, I felt significant personal regret. This time, I will return with good results." He added, "If one is satisfied with silver or bronze medals, they might not think about gold. That is why I feel even more regretful. When the opportunity comes, I am creating an environment for myself to win gold." Judo player Heo Mi-mi said, "Since this is my first Asian Games, I will work hard," and added, "Competing in Japan makes me a bit more nervous and burdened. However, there are many people cheering for us, which gives me strength. We will work hard for the gold medal, so please look forward to it."

In addition, basketball captain Lee Seung-hyun said, "Even though this is my third Asian Games, I still have no medal experience. We have prepared extensively. We will definitely win the gold medal." When asked about the recent poor performance of the national team, he responded, "Although we lost to Japan in both friendly matches, we are using this as an opportunity to bounce back." He added, "An Young-jun has recently joined, and Lee Hyun-joong has not yet arrived, so we are not at full strength. When everyone is here and we prepare well, I believe we can show the public a good performance." Volleyball captain Cha Young-seok also stated, "Just as the players have prepared diligently, we will achieve good results."

This Asian Games, to be held in Japan next month on the 19th, will see participation from 45 countries and over 15,000 athletes. The South Korean delegation will field 1,052 members (792 athletes, 291 officials, and 41 support staff) across 41 sports. The goal for this tournament is to win between 40 and 45 gold medals and secure third place in the overall standings.

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*This content was translated by AI.