Nagoya:South Korea's national sports chief has emphasized the importance of learning from the recent Asian Games experience in Nagoya, as the country fell short of its gold medal target. South Korea finished third for the third consecutive time, securing 39 gold medals, while China dominated with 169 golds, and Japan collected 83 golds, the most ever for the host nation at an Asian Games.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC) had aimed to win between 40 to 50 gold medals and close the gap with Japan, after previous losses in 2018 and 2023. KSOC President Ryu Seung-min acknowledged struggles in traditional strongholds like archery and taekwondo but noted improvements in other areas.
Ryu highlighted the rapid progress of teams from Central and Southeast Asia, recognizing the need for South Korea to reassess its strategies ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. He noted the importance of analyzing results and improving factors such as training systems and sports science.
Despite the challenges, Ryu acknowledged successes in team sports and individual events such as modern pentathlon and skateboarding. He emphasized the significance of these achievements and the potential for development as South Korea prepares for future competitions.
Ryu also mentioned operational issues faced during the Games but chose not to dwell on them, instead focusing on preparations for the upcoming Summer World University Games in South Korea. He stressed the need for collaboration among the KSOC, government, and other agencies to ensure successful organization and avoid past mistakes.