Korean Olympic medalists and other top athletes are set to converge on Gwangju to compete at the World University Games early next month.
In gymnastics, badminton, archery, golf and taekwondo ― referred to as Korea’s “big 5” events ― star athletes such as archer Ki Bo-bae and badminton player Lee Yong-dae will vie for medals once again. Ki is a 2012 Olympic gold medalist, and Lee won the gold at the 2008 Olympics.
But there will also be emerging young athletes at the games who will try to grab attention away from more established sports stars.
In rhythmic gymnastics, 21-year-old Lee Da-ae, who has the same head coach as star gymnast Son Yeon-jae, will compete for a medal after gaining international experience at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.
Gwangju Mayor Yoon Jang-hyun lights the flame with the “Wings of Light” torch for the World University Games, which will kick off on July 3 in Gwangju. (Yonhap)
Park Min-soo, sometimes compared to Olympic gold medal-winning men’s gymnast Yang Hak-seon, will also be competing. Park, who has a background in the traditional martial arts Taekkyeon, edged out Yang in trials for the Universiade.
Choi Mi-sun is a rising athlete in archery, and closely rivals Ki in terms of skill. Choi has competed in the 2012 Asian Grand Prix where she came in second in the singles event.
In taekwondo, Team Korea is seeking to regain its glory after the sport was omitted from the 2013 Kazan Universiade. Taekwondo sensation In Gyo-don, who just recently recovered from cancer, will be back competing for a medal at the Universiade.
“The games will feature next-generation athletes, many of whom are expected to go and compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics,” the Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee said in a statement.
The GUOC is currently checking security measures and expanding the games’ transportation systems to ensure that the 20,000 guests and athletes that are expected to attend can travel smoothly to and from the venues.
By Park Hyong-ki (hkp@heraldcorp.com)