JINCHEON, South Korea — Typically a festive occasion, the joint press conference of the South Korean wrestling team on Wednesday (local time) turned solemn and emotional, as the head coach and his athletes wept while discussing the upcoming Asian Games.
Speaking to the media at the training center in Jincheon, North Chungcheong Province, the national team head coach could not hide his emotion when recalling the downturn of South Korean wrestling. He admitted that the team's recent results have not matched the status of a sports powerhouse, and pressure weighs heavily on the entire squad ahead of the continent's biggest sporting event.
The athletes also shed tears as they shared the difficulties of training, public pressure, and their desire to prove themselves. Many of them view this Asian Games as a final chance to rewrite their own stories and restore fans' trust in a sport that once brought glory to the nation.
Yet, the tears were not solely a sign of sadness. Team members unanimously vowed to fight with all their might, treating the Asian Games as a turning point to reverse the situation and bring South Korean wrestling back to its rightful place. The coaching staff also emphasized unity, readiness to face challenges, and the goal of winning medals at the games on Japanese soil in 2026.
