'Different target classes' swimmer Kim Woo-min: "Will strive to achieve Korean MVP for the second consecutive time" [Jincheon field]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I would like to aim for it as much as my heart desires."

Kim Woo-min (Gangwon Provincial Government), a swimming national team member for the 2026 Aichi·Nagoya (Japan) Asian Games, said with a smile. This was during an interview with reporters ahead of the Asian Games delegation decision ceremony held at the national team training center in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, on the 3rd.

When asked about his ambition to be the most valuable player (MVP) of the South Korean delegation for the second consecutive time, he replied, "I will do my best." He has set his sights not only on winning gold medals at the Asian Games but also on achieving multiple championships and ultimately becoming the MVP of the South Korean delegation.

At the 2022 Hangzhou Games held in 2023, Kim Woo-min achieved a triple crown in swimming at the Asian Games. He stood atop the podium in the men's 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle, and 800m freestyle relay, adding a silver medal in the 1500m freestyle. This marked only the third time in history that a South Korean swimmer has won three gold medals at the Asian Games. As a result, Kim Woo-min was honored as the MVP of the South Korean delegation at that time.

Kim Woo-min is scheduled to compete in the men's 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle events, as well as the 400m and 800m freestyle relays at this year's Games. His main event, the 400m freestyle, also led to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, making it his most confident and indispensable event in this competition as well.

While adjusting his condition ahead of the Games, he said, "This is a period focused on bringing back the skills I have trained so far through feel," adding, "My condition is good, but I have a slight shoulder injury. Still, I plan to compete as scheduled. I think I need to manage it well."

Kim Woo-min further stated, "Since I am challenging in many events, I want to win many medals and achieve good results." Although he did not specify the exact number of target medals, he had previously set his goal as "multiple championships" at this year's Games, following the Hangzhou Games, during the media event held 30 days before the opening.

Competing in a total of six individual events, Kim Woo-min said, "My first goal is to achieve good results in all the events I participate in." He added, "Another personal goal is to perform well in my main event, the 400m freestyle."

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*This content was translated by AI.