By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
Second straight time world weight lifting champion Jang Mi-ran involuntarily postponed her long term goal of becoming a professor.
Jang, 23, was confirmed to have quit her school, Korea University, last March due to a regulation of the Korea Sports Council (KSC) which does not allow an undergraduate to participate in any senior competition.
The Athens Olympic silver medallist was admitted to the school in 2005 and planed to start her junior session this year.
``The school did not want her to quit but we couldn't help it because she made the decision herself. If she wants to resume studying later, she can come back,'' said a person from school's public relations team.
According to the rule, students who belong to a school cannot register to a senior contest under company sponsorship. Graduate and evening school students are exceptions.
Jang, however, competed in the senior field for last two years with Wonju City Hall while attending the school but earlier this year the weight lifter, whoranked No. 1 in the world last year, moved to Goyang City Hall despite her former team's request to stay.
Displeased Wonju City Hall demurred to the sports governing body about her status and Jang only had to leave her school not to trigger any conflict.
As she violated the regulation, it might affect her in preparing for the world championships in September and the Beijing Olympics next year.
However, Jang is not the only athlete to strike a sponsorship deal as an undergraduate and the issue has been covert so far.
A number of women golfers playing in the LPGA Tours are in the same boat with the weight lifter. Marathon gold medallist Hwang Young-jo attended Korea University when he was with Kolon.
World swimming champion swimmer Park Tae-hwan, who signed with Speedo last year, will also be subject to the stipulation next year when he goes to university.
The KSC also takes on an inspection only when requested.
Last April the sports organization attempted to revise the unrealistic rule but 16 cities and provinces and several universities opposed it.
The ones insist that provided athletes who belong to amateur teams are allowed to attend school, no one will support school while the others say money spent on recruiting good athletes will be too high to manage teams.
``The regulation is controversial in terms of the encroachment on human rights. We plan to file a suit to the National Human Rights Commission,'' her manager said.
``I quit school because undergraduates cannot agree to a deal with an amateur team. I will continue studying when I retire from weight lifting,'' Jang said in an interview with a local media.
``I don't want this issue to be misinterpreted four months after it had happened.''
She added: ``I didn't want special treatment. Although I cannot study right now, I believe the misfortune will turn into a blessing someday.''