Shaking off the "Thai Monster": Bivessa's Reverse Run Sets a New Korean Record, Followed by "Now It's Time to Bloom in Track and Field Too"... The Great 'Korean Relay' Overcomes the Setback of Disqualification [Aichi-Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

They even shook off the late-stage pursuit of the "Thai Monster." The South Korean men's 400m relay team, consisting of Seo Min-jun (Seocheon County Office), Namadi Joel Jin (Yechon County Office), Lee Jae-sung (Gwangju City Office), and Bivessa Daniel Kasama (Ansan City Office), built a golden tower by securing medals at the Asian Games for the second consecutive time, overcoming numerous adverse conditions.

The team crossed the finish line in third place with a time of 38.4 seconds in the men's 4x100m relay final held on the 28th at Mizho Park Athletics Stadium in Nagoya, Japan, during the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. China took first place (38.17 seconds), and Taiwan took second place (38.32 seconds).

With this, the South Korean men's relay team set a new national record by shortening the previous Korean record of 38.49 seconds, set at last May's Asian Athletics Championships, by 0.06 seconds. Winning medals in the 4x100m event for the second consecutive time is a first in South Korean athletics history.

The path to reaching the final was truly a thorny road. In the preliminary round held the previous day, they were disqualified due to a ruling that the baton touch between first leg runner Kim Si-on (National COLONY Corps) and second leg runner Joel Jin went outside the designated zone. They nearly ended their tournament in vain, but after persistent appeals by the Korea Athletics Federation, the decision was overturned, and they dramatically caught the last train to the final (7th overall, 39.33 seconds).

The athletes, who had been under significant mental strain, finally let out a sigh of relief only after winning the medals. According to NEWS1, Seo Min-jun reflected, saying, "It felt like going back and forth between heaven and hell," adding, "I prepared earnestly solely for this race. When the opportunity was given again, I felt deeply grateful to God."

Joel Jin also said, "I was worried about what would happen if things went wrong, but I was confident that we had not crossed the baton touch zone. I prepared for the final with that belief."

Unexpected injury variables and bad weather could not stop the team's sprint. Key runner Joel Jin raised concerns by withdrawing from the 200m preliminary on the 26th due to a thigh muscle cramp. However, it was a bold "selection and concentration" to focus on the relay, and he took the stage in the final thanks to his quick recovery.

Even amid the rain that fell on the day of the final and the disadvantageous environment of Lane 1, the athletes remained unshaken. In particular, a fierce competition for the bronze medal erupted between Thailand's ace, Puriapol Bunson, and the South Korean team in the late stages of the race.

Last leg runner Bivessa, who shook off Thailand's fierce pursuit with an all-out sprint, expressed confidence, saying, "I did not think Lane 1 and the rain were disadvantageous conditions. While Runner Bunson has exceptional ability, I was not worried that I would lose the medal because of just that one person." He added, "Since all my teammates have been winning as if it were eating rice since last year, I decided to clear my head and run even better."

Although they caught two rabbits—historic consecutive podium finishes and setting a new record—the athletes' gaze was already directed toward higher goals. As they had unanimously set "gold medal" as their target, deep regret also permeated their expressions.

According to NEWS1, Lee Jae-sung, who has won medals for the second consecutive time, shared his thoughts, saying, "I approached it with the goal of a gold medal and a Korean national record," adding, "Although I missed the gold medal, I am happy to have won bronze and set a Korean record."

Seo Min-jun also said, "At first, I didn't even know that we had set a Korean national record; I only realized it after my teammates told me," adding, "Although we placed on the podium, there is regret because I desperately wanted to win the gold medal."

Joel Jin stated, "I aimed for the gold medal, and looking back after finishing the race, there is a bit of regret," while also saying, "It was difficult due to yesterday's mistake, but I am happy that we overcame it well with my seniors and achieved such a good result. This is a new beginning. I will train hard to grow further using this tournament as a stepping stone."

Having established themselves as the hope of South Korean athletics, they did not settle for the present and foreshadowed another challenge. Bivessa, who put the finishing touch on as the anchor, rejoiced, saying, "I felt great relief after crossing the finish line. I was also truly happy to have set a Korean national record, which was one of my goals. Above all, I felt the greatest sense of accomplishment in everyone completing the race without injury."

He then joked, "If you achieve too many goals at once, won't there be nothing left to break?" and resolved, "Athletics is the flower of sports, but it has not bloomed for a long time. Now I will achieve things one by one."

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*This content was translated by AI.