Son among five most stylish Olympians

A photograph of rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae is featured in fashion magazine Vogue’s Internet edition, Sunday. / Captured from Son Yeon-jae’s Instragram

By Park Jae-hyuk

South Korean rhythmic gymnast star Son Yeon-jae was named one of the “five most stylish Olympic stars” by the international fashion magazine Vogue on its Internet edition, Sunday.

The 22-year-old was selected with four other female athletes ― American track and field athlete Allyson Felix, Canadian tennis champion Eugenie Bouchard, American sabre fencer ace Ibtihaj Muhammad and British track and field star Jazmin Sawyers. Son was the only Asian on the list.

“As one of the world’s foremost rhythmic gymnasts, it’s clear that Son Yeon-jae knows how to move. But she also understands the appeal of a flashy outfit,” said Vogue in the article. It also reads, ”When performing, Yeon-jae wears the elaborate costumes favored by her sport, but during her personal time, she’s more of a jeans and T-shirt girl. Yeon-jae’s closet is full of denim cutoffs, floral rompers, and pastel purses with a variety of Korean labels ― and it’s beyond cute.” The online article posted Son’s Instagram photo and address.

China Central Television (CCTV), Oriental Daily News in Hong Kong and the French weekly magazine Paris-match also picked Son among the most beautiful female athletes in Rio.

Son has enjoyed an uncontested popularity among corporate marketers, along with the former figure skating champion Kim Yu-na for their attractive look and fashionable style. Son has modeled for a number of the country's top-selling fashion brands.

Flying high in the marketing field, Son will compete her first Olympic medal at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics. She is placed fifth in the world ranking, according to the FIG, the international governing body of gymnastics. She won 17 medals including two golds, nine silvers and six bronze medals in this year’s World Cup championships.

The gymnast has been training in Brazil since she arrived in Rio on July 28 and is scheduled to compete on Aug. 20 and 21.