South Korean Contingent Returns From Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games
The South Korean sports delegation returned home on October 5 through Incheon International Airport’s Terminal 2, concluding a 16-day run at the 20th Summer Asian Games in Japan. Yoo Seung-min, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, and delegation head Lee Sang-hyun led the main group of 80 arrivals, which included headquarters officials, support staff, and representatives from tennis, wrestling, rhythmic gymnastics, breaking, and sports climbing, The Hankyoreh reported.
The event took place across Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya from September 19 to October 4. South Korea deployed 1,052 athletes across 41 sports. Most athletes departed earlier upon completing their respective schedules, leaving the final support and administrative staff to travel with the main group on Sunday afternoon.
South Korea finishes third with lowest gold count since 1982
South Korea finished third in the overall medal table with 39 gold, 43 silver, and 68 bronze medals. China topped the standings with 169 gold, 89 silver, and 83 bronze medals, while Japan placed second with 83 gold, 95 silver, and 91 bronze medals.
While South Korea successfully defended the third-place position it held at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang and 2022 Hangzhou editions, the team fell short of its internal target of 40 or more gold medals. The total of 39 gold medals marks the country’s lowest gold count at an Asian Games since the 1982 New Delhi games, where South Korea won 28 gold medals, The Hankyoreh reported.
Oh Sang-uk and four others win multiple gold medals
Fencer Oh Sang-uk received the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award after securing gold medals in both the men’s individual and team sabre events. Four other athletes claimed two gold medals each during the competition: canoeists Cho Kwang-hee and Kim Hyobin, shooter Lee Geon-hyeok, and archer Lee Woo-seok.
Upcoming National Sports Festival Schedule
South Korean athletes face an immediate turnaround as they transition back to domestic competition. A large portion of the Asian Games roster will travel to Jeju Island to compete in the 107th National Sports Festival, which runs from October 16 to 22.
Looking further ahead, the 2030 Asian Games are scheduled for Doha, Qatar. However, the Olympic Council of Asia is discussing potential schedule adjustments that could push the Doha games back by one year to 2031.
Questions about the 20th Summer Asian Games
When and where did the 20th Summer Asian Games take place?
The games ran from September 19 to October 4 across Japan’s Aichi Prefecture and the city of Nagoya.
How many athletes did South Korea send to the competition?
South Korea dispatched a total delegation of 1,052 athletes competing across 41 sports.
Who won the Most Valuable Player award for the tournament?
Fencer Oh Sang-uk earned the MVP honor following his victories in the men’s individual and team sabre events.
Where will the next domestic competition take place?
Returning athletes will compete in the 107th National Sports Festival on Jeju Island from October 16 to 22.
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