Son heads to Russia for training

Son Yeon-jae

By Yoon Chul

Rising Korean rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae departed for Russia Friday to train for next year’s Olympics.

“This trip is to prepare for the London Games. Son will stay in Russia for about two months,” an official of IB Sports, the athlete’s management agency, told The Korea Times.

The gymnast, who became one of the 16 Olympic qualifiers after finishing 11th in the World Championships in Montpellier, France, in September, has traveled the world for more than eight months, competing as well as training.

In that time, she only spent a month in Korea to rest and participate in a national competition.

Son’s coaching contract is with the Russian Gymnastic Federation. With her original coach Jelena Lipyordova of Russia pregnant, compatriot Nadezda Kholodkova has taken over the Korean’s training.

Kholodkova has traveled with Son to this season’s world cups and she was next to Son when the 17-year-old Korean achieved Olympic qualification at the world championships.

“I will focus to reorganize and reinforce my program. I will discuss this a lot with my coach,” Son said before leaving Korea at Incheon International Airport.

In order to support Son, her mother Yoon Hyun-sook will accompany the gymnast.

Son will return to Korea Dec. 19 because the gym Son will train at will close over the Christmas period.

To continue her efforts for Olympic success Son will return to Russia in early January.

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