"It has been very difficult since the Choi Soon-sil state affairs manipulation scandal," says Nam Dong-heon, who won a gold medal in equestrian eventing at the Asian Games, urging that "athletes are still working hard." [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

Nam Dong-heon (37), who topped the equestrian dressage event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya (Japan) Asian Games, stated, "It has been a very difficult situation since the Choi Soon-sil state affairs manipulation scandal," and added, "I hope people will recognize that athletes are working hard."

On the 27th, Nam Dong-heon competed with his horse Leonidas in the individual dressage final at the equestrian event held at the Tokyo Equestrian Park in Japan, scoring a final total of 75.190 points to claim first place. This marks Korea's first Asian Games gold medal in individual dressage since the 2014 Incheon Games. Dressage is an event where horses perform movements such as walking and jumping along a prescribed path based on commands from their riders. Judges comprehensively evaluate factors including the horse's stride length.

Korean equestrian teams had won five consecutive gold medals starting from the 1998 Bangkok Games, but that streak ended at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games. At the 2022 Hangzhou Games held in 2023, Korea experienced its first-ever "no medal" outcome. However, Nam Dong-heon's gold medal victory at this tournament restored national pride.

After winning the gold medal, he conveyed through the Korea Sports Council: "Winning this gold medal was not something I could have achieved alone; it was made possible thanks to the extensive support of staff members, coaches, and grooms. This is my third Asian Games appearance. The first time my results were far from satisfactory, and the second time I couldn't compete due to a horse injury. This time, my horse gave its all until the end, allowing me to win gold. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the horse."

He continued: "The horse suffered an injury about three or four months ago, making it impossible to continue training. Upon arriving here, we focused on improving the horse's condition, and under the coach's guidance on how best to handle the horse, we concentrated on addressing those aspects. Leonidas is not my personal horse; he belongs to a separate groom. I want to express my deepest gratitude to that groom. I am also thankful to the coaches who provided instruction, as well as to Lisa, the stable manager, and team members who cared for the horse alongside me until the very end."

Nam Dong-heon remarked, "Our equestrian program has faced significant challenges since the Choi Soon-sil state affairs manipulation scandal. However, I hope people will recognize that athletes are diligently working in their positions." He added, "I encourage everyone to cheer for our team in the next Asian Games and for the remaining obstacle course teams at this tournament, and to come watch them compete."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.