Jincheon: South Korean modern pentathletes announced their ambition to secure the nation's first-ever gold medal at this year's Asian Games in Japan. The athletes are set to compete for four gold medals in the men's and women's individual and team events on September 20, marking the start of the medal race at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Preliminary events will begin on September 16, three days ahead of the opening ceremony.
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea will be represented by a team of eight athletes, comprising four male and four female competitors. The men's team includes Jun Woong-tae, Seo Chang-wan, Lee Jong-hyun, and Kim Young-ha, while the women's team features Seong Seung-min, Shin Sumin, Jang Ha-eun, and Kim Yu-ri. Jun Woong-tae, who is also the team's captain, previously won both the individual and team titles at the 2023 Asian Games and expressed confidence in his team's readiness.
Modern pentathlon has seen changes since the 2024 Olympics, with the traditional equestrian show jumping replaced by obstacle racing. Head coach Kim Sung-jin noted the team's progress in adapting to these changes, working closely with a Filipino instructor to enhance their skills. Seo Chang-wan, who initially found the obstacle racing challenging, now enjoys the event and aims to perform at his best to win a gold medal, having won the individual title at the World Cup in Bulgaria earlier this year.
Seong Seung-min, the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist, has been successful in the international circuit since the inclusion of obstacle racing, earning accolades such as the Asian championships title and the World Cup final silver in 2025. He anticipates a thrilling competition against athletes from China and Japan, who have shown significant improvement in the obstacle events.
Jun Woong-tae foresees a competitive battle for medals among South Korea, China, and Japan, as was the case in the men's team event at the 2023 Asian Games. The South Korean team aims to surpass their rivals and reclaim their place at the top of the podium. Before heading to Nagoya on September 13, the team will compete in the world championships in China from August 24 to 30, using it as preparation for the Asian Games.