Athletes' competition continues after Asiad
South Korean footballers celebrate with the country’s national flag after winning the gold in the Asian Games at Munhak Stadium Thursday, beating North Korea 1-0. They returned to their club teams Friday. / Yonhap
By Nam Hyun-woo
INCHEON ― After the curtain falls on the Incheon Asian Games, South Korean athletes will return to their normal lives yet again to prepare for their next competitions, both on and off stage.
Since winning gold in Incheon, Korean baseball players have already returned to their professional clubs and resumed the regular season ― which was put on hold during the Asiad ― with most clubs in tight races for the post-season as only 10 games remain.
NC Dinos starter Lee Jae-hak, who started the Asiad semifinal game against China, earned his 10th win of this season in his side's 9-2 victory over the SK Wyverns Thursday.
Pitcher Yang Hyeon-jong, who started in the men's baseball preliminary game against Chinese Taipei, got his 16th win this season Thursday when the Kia Tigers, beat the Doosan Bears 4-3.
On the same day, the Lotte Giants duo of Son Ah-seop and Hwang Jae-gyun helped defeat the Hanwha Eagles 10-5, with each recording three RBIs.
Footballers, who ended their 28-year Asiad gold drought with their final victory over North Korea on Thursday, also returned to their clubs Friday morning.
Since those who led the team were mostly K-Leagers, their home clubs are hoping they will bring their clubs the same kind of success in the regular season.
For Pohang Steelers coach Hwang Sun-hong, the return of forward Kim Seung-dae, who led the national team's offense, and midfielder Son Jun-ho is most welcome. After releasing the two to the national team, the Steelers recorded three losses, one draw and two wins in six games, a heavy blow as they are in a race against Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for the K-League Classic pole position.
Daejeon Citizen defender Rim Chang-woo, who netted the decider in the Asiad final, can also aim to end his loan spell in the second-tier K-League Challenge team and return to the top-tier.
Since the gold will exempt the footballers from Korea's two-year mandatory military service, not only K-Leaguers but also foreign-based athletes such as Bundesliga defenders Park Joo-ho and Kim Jin-su will also enjoy advantages in their careers.
Meanwhile, some athletes said farewell to their international careers after the Incheon Asiad.
Track cyclist Cho Ho-sung, will end his 27-year career as a national cyclist at the age of 40, with a silver in the men's omnium. Since the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, Japan, he has collected five Asiad golds.
“My parents said the race at Incheon was the best they have seen so far. I want to have a normal life with my family,” he said after the race.
Star fencer Nam Hyun-hee also ended her international career with her fourth gold in the women's team foil.
From the 2002 Busan Games, she contributed to her side's reigning on the Asiad foil stage for 12 years.
Hurdler Park Tae-kyong and women's basketball point guard Lee Mi-sun also drew the curtain on their international careers.
Despite her young age, MTB cyclist Yoo Da-jeong will also likely quit the sport because there is no infrastructure or team that can help her continue after her graduation from Korea National Sport University.
Other athletes will be in preparation for the upcoming the 95th National Sports Festival and the 2016 Summer Olympics at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Swimmer Park Tae-hwan, whose performance fell a little short of domestic expectations at Incheon, will go to Jeju Island on Oct. 5 for a 20-day training session for the National Sports Festival scheduled on the island from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3.
“I will now focus on the National Sports Festival,” Park said after his final race in Incheon.