The South Korean national team for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games departed for Japan on September 17. Led by Yoo Seung-min, president of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, and Lee Sang-hyun, head of the delegation, 122 athletes and officials from sports including badminton, road cycling, women's handball, and table tennis are on their way. The competition will take place from September 19 to October 4, featuring 469 gold medals across 43 events. South Korea is sending a total of 1,052 participants, including 792 athletes and 260 officials, competing in 41 sports, excluding cricket and padel.
The goal is to secure 40 to 45 gold medals and achieve a third-place finish overall. South Korea aims to maintain its position as the third overall for the third consecutive time, following the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and the 2023 Hangzhou Games, while narrowing the gap with Japan. In Hangzhou, South Korea won 42 gold medals, trailing Japan by 10 medals, which secured 52. Strong performances are expected in archery, swimming, shooting, fencing, taekwondo, and badminton, while contributions from judo, modern pentathlon, and esports will also be crucial to reaching the target.
South Korea has long been recognized as a leading sports nation in Asia alongside China and Japan, but it now faces increasing challenges from rapidly developing countries in various sports. Relying solely on a few popular events to boost the overall medal count has its limitations. The current state of South Korean sports is better reflected in the overall competitiveness of its disciplines rather than the achievements of a few stars.
Therefore, the success of this competition should not be judged solely by the medal tally. Aichi and Nagoya serve as a stepping stone to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. It is essential to assess the current abilities of key athletes like An Se-young, Hwang Sun-woo, Kim Woo-min, Oh Sang-wook, and Woo Sang-hyuk, while also identifying new talent. Athletes who show promise in this competition could emerge as key figures in Los Angeles in two years. Equally important is building a deeper pool of athletes.
Areas without medal prospects should not be overlooked. It is crucial to examine sports where the gap with the world has widened and where nurturing promising athletes has stalled. The Asian Games results serve as both a confirmation of strengths and a diagnostic tool revealing weaknesses in South Korea's elite sports. If the focus remains solely on counting medals after the event, the same issues will inevitably recur.
Creating an environment where athletes can perform at their best is the responsibility of sports authorities. This competition will be held not only in Nagoya and Aichi Prefecture but also in various regions of Japan. Comprehensive support is needed for travel, accommodation, meals, medical care, and injury management. The performance of athletes who have trained for years should not be compromised by issues outside the competition venue.
Public perception of athletes should not be limited to the color of their medals. The time and experiences endured to become national representatives are also valuable assets that South Korean sports must accumulate. While a sober evaluation of performance is necessary, it is unfair to place the entire burden on the athletes. A thorough examination of athlete development and support systems is essential for change in future competitions.
This is the first time since the 1994 Hiroshima Games that Japan will host the Summer Asian Games. The goals of securing 40 to 45 gold medals and finishing third overall are clear. However, what South Korea must bring back from Nagoya extends beyond medals. Identifying strengths and weaknesses in South Korean sports and discovering new athletes to carry forward to Los Angeles in two years is a greater challenge. We hope the Taeguk Warriors showcase their prepared skills without regret, and that their challenges mark the beginning of a new chapter for South Korean sports.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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