"Endured hate comments and part-time jobs for eight years, finally succeeded." Shin Ji-eun's first victory → Reached the Round of 16 for the first time in 12 years... Stopped by China's strongest wall but a 'valuable challenge' [Aichi Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

Shin Ji-eun, the "goddess" of Korean women's beach volleyball, overcame eight years of challenges to secure a hard-fought advancement to the round of 16, concluding her participation in this tournament with that valuable result.

The Korean women's beach volleyball team, composed of Shin Ji-eun and Kim Jeong-a, lost to the Chinese pair Xia Shini-Yan Shi with a set score of 0-2 (6-21, 12-21) in the round of 16 at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held on the 28th at Hekinan Ryokuchi Beach Court in Hekinan City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

The challenge to reach the Asian Games quarterfinals for the first time in 12 years was unfortunately dashed.

The opponent was extremely strong.

The Chinese duo of Xie Shixin and Yan Xi is a powerhouse that received the second seed in this tournament. Notably, Xie Shixin has been a veteran who has consecutively claimed the Asian Games title since the 2014 Incheon Games, representing women's beach volleyball in Asia.

South Korea lost the first set heavily with a score of 6-21.

In the second set, he exerted a bit more effort.

In the 3-7 game, Shin Ji-eun's hit struck the net and went over, breaking the streak of consecutive points allowed, after which she gradually attempted to close the gap.

However, the gap widened again after the opponent's sub-ace was triggered at 7-13.

South Korea managed to score one point as the opponent's blocking went out of bounds in the 11-20 rally, but ultimately lost the match after conceding a final point.

Although she did not reach the quarterfinals, Shin Ji-eun's journey in this tournament was special.

Shin Ji-eun teamed up with Kim Jeong-a, who played in the V-League for three seasons until 2024.

In the first match of the group stage, they lost to Thailand 0-2, but later secured a thrilling comeback victory against Malaysia with a set score of 2-1.

It was Shin Ji-eun's first victory at the Asian Games.

South Korea ultimately secured a spot in the Round of 16 by finishing second in Group D of the group stage.

It has been a full 12 years since the Korean women's beach volleyball team advanced to the Asian Games tournament, following Yoon Hye-sook and Lee Eun-a's pair reaching the quarterfinals at the 2014 Incheon Games.

The process was by no means smooth.

Shin Ji-eun has endured about eight years as a beach volleyball player, changing partners multiple times and continuing her athletic career in an environment that was far from affluent.

It used to cost several million won just to participate in a single overseas competition. Shin Ji-eun is reported to have continued her athletic career while working part-time jobs not only as a sports instructor but also at fast-food restaurants and cafes to raise funds for travel expenses.

There were times when they had to practice on the Han River because they could not secure a proper training venue.

They also suffered from malicious comments unrelated to their performance.

Beach volleyball's distinctive uniforms sparked a wave of malicious comments focusing on appearance and exposure, leading the athlete to consider retirement.

And finally, he secured his first Asian Games victory at this tournament.

This victory also led to the first Korean women's beach volleyball team reaching the tournament round in 12 years.

Unfortunately, the challenge of the Shin Ji-eun and Kim Jeong-a duo came to a halt in the round of 16 after facing China, Asia's top-ranked team.

However, for Shin Ji-eun, this tournament was a clear result of her long perseverance.

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*This content was translated by AI.