Im Min-keun, the mayor of Ansan, expressed pride on October 2 in the athletes who competed as national representatives at the Asian Games, stating, "I am proud of the athletes who gave their all and achieved valuable results."
Mayor Im made these remarks during a medal presentation ceremony for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where he invited gold medalists Seo Ji-yeon and Kim Jeong-mi from the women's sabre team, as well as bronze medalist Biwesa Daniel Gasama from the men's 400-meter relay, to offer his encouragement.
He congratulated the athletes from the Ansan City Hall Sports Team for their achievements at the Asian Games, reiterating his commitment to fostering a sports city where both professional and recreational sports can thrive.
During the event, the athletes shared their experiences and feelings about preparing for the competition, expressing gratitude for the support from the citizens.
Seo Ji-yeon and Kim Jeong-mi represented South Korea's women's sabre team, winning a valuable gold medal in the team event.
Their success highlighted the strength of the Ansan City Hall Sports Team, showcasing its capabilities on the Asian Games stage.
In athletics, Biwesa Daniel Gasama competed in the men's 400-meter relay, setting a new Korean record of 38.43 seconds and earning a bronze medal. He also finished fifth in the individual men's 100 meters, demonstrating his competitiveness on the international stage.
These medals hold special significance not only for the athletes but also for the citizens of Ansan.
As the news of the athletes representing Ansan City Hall on the international stage spread, citizens celebrated their achievements with congratulations and support.
In particular, the gold medal win by Seo Ji-yeon and Kim Jeong-mi prompted reactions such as, "I am even prouder that the Ansan City Hall athletes won gold for South Korea," and, "I am delighted that local athletes are achieving great results on the international stage."
Mayor Im is working to expand the foundation for all citizens to enjoy sports activities nearby while also focusing on nurturing talented athletes to ensure they can train effectively and compete internationally.
He emphasized that this achievement will serve as a catalyst for improving the performance of professional athletes while also promoting recreational sports among citizens.
Im Min-keun reiterated his commitment to continuously support and encourage athletes to showcase their skills on larger stages, backing the challenges faced by national representatives.
Additionally, the mayor plans to continue supporting the performance enhancement of the City Hall Sports Team and to expand the foundation for recreational sports, aiming to create a city where citizens can gain health and vitality through sports.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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