{
  "id": 9718360,
  "title": "Nat'l swimming coach encouraged by growth of young medalists",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/natl-swimming-coach-encouraged-by-growth-of-young-medalists-9718360",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-25T06:52:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20260925/natl-swimming-coach-encouraged-by-growth-of-young-medalists"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tokyo—The head coach of South Korea's national swimming team expressed optimism on Friday after witnessing the impressive performances of his younger athletes at the Asian Games in Japan. Speaking to South Korean media following the morning heats at the Tokyo Aquatics Centre, where the finals are scheduled for the evening, Kim Hyo-youl stated that his team can certainly compete outside of Asia.\n\nComing into Friday's session, South Korea had already secured one gold, five silver, and 11 bronze medals in the pool during the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. While they are unlikely to replicate that tally in Tokyo, Kim decided to focus on the positive, highlighting that several of his younger competitors had reached the podium.\n\nNotable victories included Kim Young-beom, a 20-year-old, claiming the gold medal in the men's 50-meter freestyle, making it part of his five-medal haul. Park Si-eun, also 19, secured the silver in the women's 200-meter breaststroke event. Another 19-year-old, Kim Jun-woo, earned a joint silver medal in the men's 800-meter freestyle race. Among the youngest medalists, Kim Seung-won, a 16-year-old high school student, triumphed with bronze medals in both the women's 50-meter and 100-meter backstroke events.",
  "summary": "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…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Nat'l swimming coach encouraged by growth of young medalists",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/25/natl-swimming-coach-encouraged-by-growth-of-young-medalists",
        "published": "2026-09-25T06:32:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}