SEOUL - South Korean speed skater Kim Min-sun clinched second place in the overall World Cup standings following a silver medal performance in the season finale held in Canada.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim finished behind Femke Kok of the Netherlands in the second of two women's 500-meter races, clocking in at 37.91 seconds at the Centre de Glaces in Quebec City on Sunday (local time). Kok edged out Kim by 0.20 second to take the gold.
On the previous day, Kim outpaced Kok to win the gold in the first 500m event, setting a new track record of 37.69 seconds, surpassing her own previous record of 38.14 seconds set in December 2022. This marked the conclusion of the sixth and final World Cup stop for the 2023-2024 season. Despite a challenging start with two missed podiums while adjusting to a new pair of boots, Kim bounced back with her old skates to secure a podium finish in each of her next eight races, which included three golds.
Kim garnered 60 points for her gold on Saturday and added 54 points for her silver on Sunday. However, her total of 514 points was insufficient to overtake Erin Jackson of the United States, who finished the season eight points ahead to secure her second career World Cup overall title in three seasons. Jackson finished fifth and third in her two races in Quebec, narrowly maintaining her lead over Kim.
The 2022-2023 season saw Kim dominate the overall World Cup title, earning five gold medals and one silver in six races.
SEOUL - In the face of mounting pressure to end South Korea's long-standing title drought in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup, midfielder Hwang In-beom welcomed the challenge with open arms.According to Yonhap News Agency, the anticipation and high expectations come as a privilege rather than a burden. South Korea, ranked 23rd in the world, is set to face 87th-ranked Jordan in the semifinals on Tuesday in Qatar, or midnight Wednesday Seoul time. With two victories away from their first Asian Cup title since 1960, the team's journey to the last four has ignited the enthusiasm of their supporters.
Despite the high stakes and the palpable pressure, Hwang remains unfazed. At a pre-match press conference in Doha, he shared his perspective on the expectations placed upon them. "As a football player, you always face pressure to perform, be it with the national team or with the club. It's not unique to this tournament," Hwang stated. He expressed gratitude for the team's ability to harness the motivation from their fans' faith, viewing the pressure as a motivator rather than an obstacle.
Hwang's performance in the tournament has been a mix of brilliance and rare mistakes, but the midfielder is focused on the present, determined not to dwell on past errors. His forward-looking approach is centered on contributing to the team's success and overcoming challenges together. Hwang's appreciation for his teammates shines through, as he values the support system within the team, ready to offer encouragement and assistance in times of need.
South Korea's path to the semifinals has been anything but straightforward. Their journey included a last-minute draw against Jordan in the group stage and a dramatic victory over Australia in the quarterfinals, showcasing resilience and determination. Despite conceding eight goals thus far—a record high for a team in their position—Hwang and his team are ready to defy history and secure the championship.
The team faces a significant challenge with the absence of key defender Kim Min-jae due to suspension. However, Hwang's confidence in his teammates remains unshaken, emphasizing the depth and preparedness of the squad. As they head into the semifinal against Jordan, South Korea aims to continue their pursuit of rewriting history and capturing the Asian Cup title, buoyed by a blend of talent, teamwork, and an unyielding spirit.