By Park Jae-hyuk
South Korea may have failed to achieve its initial goal of 10 gold medals at the Rio Olympics, but young athletes have proven their potential and marked South Korea as a strong medal contender for the 2020 Tokyo Games.
One of the most anticipated young athletes is fencer Park Sang-young, 21, who clinched the gold in the men's individual epee. He became an overnight star in Korea with his can-do spirit which helped him turn the tables when he was losing and landed him gold.
Park became the only South Korean fencer to win gold in Rio and the first South Korean fencer to win in the individual epee.
"I know the victory will be a burden in four years," he said at a press conference in Rio, Aug. 15. "However, I will not be afraid and will train hard to participate in the Olympics three to four more times."
Badminton player Shin Seung-chan, 22, has also become a strong medal contender for the next Olympic Games.
With her partner Jung Kyung-eun, Shin beat the world No. 2 Chinese players in the bronze medal match in the women's doubles. Their bronze was the only medal for South Korean badminton players at Rio. Badminton authorities expect Shin's powerful smash will recover the former glory of South Korean badminton at the next Games.
Amid the harsh medal drought among South Korean table tennis players, Jeoung Young-sik, 24, showed a promising future in his Olympic debut.
Although he lost in four sets, Jeoung almost evenly matched against the world No. 1 Ma Long, winning the first two sets in the fourth round of the men's singles. He also contributed to his team in the men's team events. After his return to Korea, Jeoung said at a press conference, "I really hope to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics."
Other young athletes, such as diver Woo Ha-ram, 18, and footballer Hwang Hee-chan, 20, are prospects for the next Olympics as well. The first South Korean diver qualified for the final round and said that he will do his best to win a medal at the Tokyo Games. Hwang, the youngest footballer of the South Korean Olympic football team, has joined the squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
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| Diver Woo Ha-ram / Yonhap |
One of the most anticipated young athletes is fencer Park Sang-young, 21, who clinched the gold in the men's individual epee. He became an overnight star in Korea with his can-do spirit which helped him turn the tables when he was losing and landed him gold.
Park became the only South Korean fencer to win gold in Rio and the first South Korean fencer to win in the individual epee.
"I know the victory will be a burden in four years," he said at a press conference in Rio, Aug. 15. "However, I will not be afraid and will train hard to participate in the Olympics three to four more times."
Badminton player Shin Seung-chan, 22, has also become a strong medal contender for the next Olympic Games.
With her partner Jung Kyung-eun, Shin beat the world No. 2 Chinese players in the bronze medal match in the women's doubles. Their bronze was the only medal for South Korean badminton players at Rio. Badminton authorities expect Shin's powerful smash will recover the former glory of South Korean badminton at the next Games.
Amid the harsh medal drought among South Korean table tennis players, Jeoung Young-sik, 24, showed a promising future in his Olympic debut.
Although he lost in four sets, Jeoung almost evenly matched against the world No. 1 Ma Long, winning the first two sets in the fourth round of the men's singles. He also contributed to his team in the men's team events. After his return to Korea, Jeoung said at a press conference, "I really hope to win a medal at the Tokyo Olympics."
Other young athletes, such as diver Woo Ha-ram, 18, and footballer Hwang Hee-chan, 20, are prospects for the next Olympics as well. The first South Korean diver qualified for the final round and said that he will do his best to win a medal at the Tokyo Games. Hwang, the youngest footballer of the South Korean Olympic football team, has joined the squad for the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
