S. Korean pentathletes driven to win S. Korea's 1st gold at 2026 Asian Games

JINCHEON, South Korea, Aug. 13 (Yonhap) -- South Korean modern pentathletes aim to claim the nation's maiden gold of the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, according to athletes on Thursday. All four gold medals in the discipline will be contested on the final day of the medal race on Sept. 20, with preliminary competition beginning on Sept. 16, three days before the opening ceremony. South Korea will field a team of eight athletes: four men and four women.

Jun Woong-tae, a 2021 Olympic bronze medalist, leads the squad, alongside Seo Chang-wan, Lee Jong-hyun, Kim Young-ha for the men; Seong Seung-min, Shin Sumin, Jang Ha-eun, and Kim Yu-ri for the women. Jun, the team captain, expressed confidence in his teammates' readiness during a joint national team press conference at Jincheon National Training Center.

Modern pentathlon underwent a significant alteration after the 2024 Olympics, swapping equestrian show jumping for obstacle racing. Head coach Kim Sung-jin reported that athletes are honing their skills with a Filipino instructor to adapt to the new format. The team has reportedly improved their rhythm and flow during obstacle navigation.

Seo Chang-wan, who won the individual title at the World Cup in Bulgaria in May, initially found the obstacle portion daunting but has since grown to enjoy it. Seong Seung-min, the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, noted that obstacle racing introduces a head-to-head element, promising a more engaging spectacle for spectators.

Chinese and Japanese athletes have dominated the obstacle event in recent years, making South Korea wary of competition. Jun Woong-tae anticipates a fierce battle with China and Japan for the podium, following their 1-2-3 finish at the 2023 Asian Games. The South Korean team will participate in the world championships in China from Aug. 24 to 30 as a warm-up before traveling to Nagoya on Sept. 13.