On the first day of the Chuseok holiday, South Korea's Yeo Seo-jeong, a leading figure in women's gymnastics, will compete for a gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Swimming and fencing are also in pursuit of additional medals.
Yeo will participate in the women's vault final at the Nagoya City Gymnasium this afternoon. She advanced to the final by finishing first in the vault qualifying round on September 22, where she will face her rival, North Korea's An Chang-ok, in a battle for gold.
This marks Yeo's first Asian Games gold medal attempt since her victory at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, eight years ago. She did not compete in the 2022 Hangzhou Games held in 2023, as she focused on the World Championships, which offered qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
If Yeo, the daughter of Yeo Hong-cheol, a silver medalist in men's vault at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, wins the gold, she will become the first South Korean female gymnast to win two gold medals at the Asian Games.
Medals are also anticipated in men's gymnastics. Ryu Seong-hyeon secured second place in the earlier qualifying round, advancing to the finals.
In swimming, Kim Woo-min, who is dealing with a shoulder injury, will compete in the men's 400m freestyle relay alongside Ji Yoo-chan, Lee Ho-jun, and Kim Min-seob, aiming for a medal.
In the men's 10m air pistol event taking place this morning, Hong Soo-hyun, So Seung-seop, and Kim Tae-young will also be vying for medals. So, at 48 years old, is the oldest member of the team and is competing in his first Asian Games after 37 years in the sport.
In fencing, Jeon Ha-young in women's sabre and Park Sang-young and Jang Hyo-min in men's épée will compete in individual events, aiming for gold.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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