Seoul: South Korean women's volleyball team captain Kang So-hwi expressed her determination to clinch an Asian Games medal as she prepares for what is likely to be her final Asiad. Speaking on Monday, Kang shared her aspirations ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, marking her second appearance at the prestigious event as part of the national team.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kang emphasized her commitment to securing a medal for her teammates during an official training session at Okazaki Chuo Sogo Park Gymnasium, located approximately 50 kilometers southeast of Nagoya. The 29-year-old outside hitter, who joined the national squad in 2016, was instrumental in South Korea's bronze medal win at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
Reflecting on the 2023 Hangzhou Games, where South Korea did not advance to the medal round after a loss to Vietnam, Kang acknowledged the disappointment but expressed a strong desire to move past it. "It was a big hurt. But I do not want to stop with that memory. I want to overcome it and grab a medal," she stated.
Setter Kim Da-in discussed her strategic preparation, focusing on sophisticated attacking tactics to enhance the team's speed against well-organized opponents with tall middle blockers. She highlighted the team's efforts to bridge gaps in their performance, saying, "I am ready to use our speed and set plays to disturb opponents."
Middle blocker Lee Da-hyeon shared confidence in the team's potential to secure a podium finish, emphasizing the importance of faster attack and defense against teams like Hong Kong, Qatar, and Vietnam. Lee remarked, "If our middle blockers play in a more aggressive way, we can help our hitters score well."
South Korea is set to compete in Pool D of the preliminary round, facing Hong Kong, Qatar, and Vietnam. The top two teams from each group will progress to the quarterfinals. South Korea's journey begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday against Hong Kong at Park Arena Komaki in Komaki, just north of Nagoya.