Final countdown to Gwangju Universiade

By Nam Hyun-woo

The 2015 Gwangju Summer Universiade will kick off a 12-day run, Friday, with 13,000 athletes from 147 countries competing for 272 golds in 21 sports at 38 venues. The South Korean delegation includes 382 athletes and 134 staffers.

South Korea is pinning its hopes on two star gymnasts

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Son Yeon-jae in rhythmic gymnastics and Yang Hak-seon in gymnastics.

Son, who is also an honorary ambassador of the Gwangju games, placed at fifth overall at the finals of the 2012 London Olympics, which is the highest result by an Asian. At the Kazan Universiade a year later, she clinched a silver in the ball event and raised her profile again by winning the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. She will compete from July 11.

Yang, the reigning Olympic champion in men’s vault, is also looking for glory in his hometown of Gwangju. The two-time world champion said Tuesday he suffered a hamstring injury, casting worries that he may not be able to display his “Yang” technique, but said the Universiade will really be the home competition for him and he will do his best to excite crowds who will pack the stadium, Saturday.

Also, Korea’s captains Ki Bo-bae, the 2012 London Olympics gold medalist in women’s archery, and Lee Yong-dae, the 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalist in badminton mixed doubles, are expected to draw keen interest from fans. Ki will launch her campaign, Saturday, while Lee will compete from Monday.

Korea’s teenage tennis phenomenon Chung Hyeon will also play from Saturday in an attempt to repeat his golden campaign at the Incheon Asiad.