Diver sees latest injury as 'just another challenge' to overcome before world championships
Korean diver Kim Su-ji speaks during a press conference at the Jincheon National Training Center in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, Tuesday. Yonhap
Admittedly only halfway back from her recent knee surgery, Korean diver Kim Su-ji contemplated skipping the upcoming world championships in Singapore.
But the 27-year-old has never shied away from challenges and adversity, and she wasn't about to do it this summer.
"I really love taking on challenges," Kim said Tuesday at a press conference at the Jincheon National Training Center in Jincheon, some 85 kilometers south of Seoul. The diving competition at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships begins July 26. "I regard my latest injury as just another challenge. So mentally, it has not been that difficult."
Kim is the most successful Korean diver in world championships history with three bronze medals. She won the first of those three in the women's 1-meter springboard event at the 2019 event in Gwangju, 270 kilometers south of Seoul. Last year in Doha, she added a bronze in the 3m springboard and then teamed up with Yi Jae-gyeong for another bronze in the mixed 3m synchronized event.
Kim admitted thoughts of retirement crossed her mind about a month after her surgery but she decided against it.
"I didn't want to be too pessimistic about my own future," she said. "So I tried to keep positive thoughts in my mind during my rehab. People have been telling me my recovery has been going really well, so I am keeping faith in myself as I move forward."
Kim said she will only compete in the 1m spring board and will not have a chance to win consecutive medals with Yi, who will have to find a new partner.
Yi said he will be surrounded by talented teammates and chemistry will not be an issue.
"Everyone is doing really well, and I just have to hold up my end of the bargain," Yi said. "Although I will have new partners, they are all great divers. As long as I can hang with them, I think we should be able to contend for a medal."