Nat'l swimming coach encouraged by growth of young medalists
TOKYO—The head coach of the national swimming team said Friday he has been buoyed by the progress made by his young athletes at the Asian Games in Japan, saying they can be competitive beyond Asia. Kim Hyo-youl spoke with South Korean media after the conclusion of the morning heats at Tokyo Aquatics Centre, with the finals set for the evening. South Korea came into Friday with one gold, five…
Tokyo—National swimming team coach Kim Hyo-youl expressed optimism about his young athletes' performance at the Asian Games in Japan, suggesting they could contend globally. Upon the morning heats' conclusion, Kim discussed the matter with South Korean media before the evening finals. Coming into Friday's session, South Korea had claimed one gold, five silver, and 11 bronze medals in pool swimming.
While topping the medal count at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China by 22 medals, including six gold, the team might not replicate that tally in Tokyo. Nevertheless, Kim remained encouraged, highlighting that several of his junior swimmers had earned podium finishes. Among them were 20-year-old Kim Young-beom, who claimed gold in the men's 50-meter freestyle; 19-year-old Park Si-eun, who secured silver in the women's 200-meter breaststroke; and another 19-year-old, Kim Jun-woo, who shared silver with teammate Kim Young-beom in the men's 800-meter freestyle.
Additionally, 16-year-old high school student Kim Seung-won earned bronze medals in the women's 50-meter and 100-meter backstroke events. With these young swimmers' achievements, Kim Hyo-youl expressed confidence in South Korea's swimming team's potential to compete beyond Asia.
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- Nat'l swimming coach encouraged by growth of young medalists koreatimes.co.kr
