S. Korean swimming hopefuls fine-tune their form ahead of World Championship
- 5 years ago
광주세계수영선수권대회를 빛낼 우리나라 수영 선수들
South Korea's oldest swimming competition kicked off today in Gwangju, the city that will host the 2019 World Aquatics Championship.
And our Won Jung-hwan is there to check out some of the nation's hopefuls who are looking to shine at the upcoming world championship.
Since its establishment in 1929, the Donga Swimming Competition has been producing top Korean swimmers like Jo O-ryeon, Choi Yun-hui, and Park Tae-hwan.
And for the fourth year in a row, the competition is being held at the country's swimming Mecca, Gwangju.
Here at Nambu University International Swimming Pool, one of world-class venues which will be used for the 2019 Gwangju World Aquatics Championships,... 1-thousand-400 athletes will compete in racing, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming events.
"The World Aquatics Championship is just less than 40 days away, and the organizers are using this competition as a dress rehearsal.
Korea's swimmers are doing the same,… fine-tuning their form ahead of the global event."
"The venues were under construction up until just a few days ago,... and I participated in today's competition because I wanted to see how the pool has changed,... and I wanted to test the water as much as possible before the Gwangju championship."
Kim Seo-yeong is one of Korea's best hopes for a medal. At last year's Asian Games, she won gold in the women's 200-meter individual medley, setting a new Korean and Asian Games record time. She also won silver in the 400-meter individual medley.
The 25-year-old said her goal in Gwangju is to break her own national record and even go for the world record.
"I was preparing for this upcoming championship since the Asian Games last year. Whether you see the time remaining is short or long,… I will get my fitness up step by step to get a good result in the end."
And Kim isn't the only swimmer who is dreaming of getting their name in the hall of fame.
Im Da-sol swam a personal best in the women's 100-meters back in April's national team draft competition. Her time of 1-minute-zero-seconds-44 was also a Korean record, and she says if she is at peak fitness, she will be aiming for a podium finish at the World Championship.
"As the championship is held right here in Gwangju, my goal is to quickly get used to the water. I still feel I lack many things but if I can strengthen my weaknesses through these practices, I think I can reach the medal range at the championship."
With the World Championship just around the corner,… fans here at the Donga Swimming Competition may just be getting a first look at some future world champions.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News, Gwangju.
South Korea's oldest swimming competition kicked off today in Gwangju, the city that will host the 2019 World Aquatics Championship.
And our Won Jung-hwan is there to check out some of the nation's hopefuls who are looking to shine at the upcoming world championship.
Since its establishment in 1929, the Donga Swimming Competition has been producing top Korean swimmers like Jo O-ryeon, Choi Yun-hui, and Park Tae-hwan.
And for the fourth year in a row, the competition is being held at the country's swimming Mecca, Gwangju.
Here at Nambu University International Swimming Pool, one of world-class venues which will be used for the 2019 Gwangju World Aquatics Championships,... 1-thousand-400 athletes will compete in racing, diving, water polo, and artistic swimming events.
"The World Aquatics Championship is just less than 40 days away, and the organizers are using this competition as a dress rehearsal.
Korea's swimmers are doing the same,… fine-tuning their form ahead of the global event."
"The venues were under construction up until just a few days ago,... and I participated in today's competition because I wanted to see how the pool has changed,... and I wanted to test the water as much as possible before the Gwangju championship."
Kim Seo-yeong is one of Korea's best hopes for a medal. At last year's Asian Games, she won gold in the women's 200-meter individual medley, setting a new Korean and Asian Games record time. She also won silver in the 400-meter individual medley.
The 25-year-old said her goal in Gwangju is to break her own national record and even go for the world record.
"I was preparing for this upcoming championship since the Asian Games last year. Whether you see the time remaining is short or long,… I will get my fitness up step by step to get a good result in the end."
And Kim isn't the only swimmer who is dreaming of getting their name in the hall of fame.
Im Da-sol swam a personal best in the women's 100-meters back in April's national team draft competition. Her time of 1-minute-zero-seconds-44 was also a Korean record, and she says if she is at peak fitness, she will be aiming for a podium finish at the World Championship.
"As the championship is held right here in Gwangju, my goal is to quickly get used to the water. I still feel I lack many things but if I can strengthen my weaknesses through these practices, I think I can reach the medal range at the championship."
With the World Championship just around the corner,… fans here at the Donga Swimming Competition may just be getting a first look at some future world champions.
Won Jung-hwan, Arirang News, Gwangju.