From Olympic medal to Asian Games gold: Seong Seung-min's golden rise

Seong Seung-min, a 23-year-old Korean athlete, has achieved a remarkable feat by securing individual gold in modern pentathlon at the Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture, marking her as the first Korean woman to do so. Her victory, which earned her 1,492 points in the final, also marked Korea's first gold medal of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games.

However, Seong's journey in the Asian Games began with a significant setback three years ago at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. During the riding event, her horse stopped abruptly, leading to her disqualification from the women's individual competition. Despite this, she managed to secure a bronze in the team event. This initial disappointment, though, did not deter her from improving her performance.

Instead, Seong intensified her training, focusing on her weaker discipline of riding, while also improving her skills in fencing and shooting. By the time the 2024 Asian Games arrived, she had become a prominent figure in Korean modern pentathlon. Her journey from a disqualification to a gold medal victory is a testament to her determination and resilience in the face of adversity.