South Korean swimming star Kim Woo-min (Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Office) has withdrawn from the men's 400m freestyle event. Despite showing determination to compete, Kim's shoulder injury worsened, leading to an early end to his schedule at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The Korea Swimming Federation announced on the 24th that Kim would not participate in the 400m freestyle scheduled for the 25th, prioritizing athlete safety. This decision also ends his bid for a second consecutive Asian Games title in this event, having won gold in 2022 in Hangzhou.
Kim aimed for gold in his signature event, the 400m freestyle. He had previously triumphed in the 400m and 800m freestyle and the 800m freestyle relay at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, earning three gold medals. He also secured a bronze medal in the 400m freestyle at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
However, injury ultimately hindered his performance. Ahead of the competition, Kim was diagnosed with a partial tear of the left shoulder rotator cuff and labrum, along with impingement syndrome. Despite this, he continued to compete without disclosing his injury. On the 21st, he contributed to South Korea's bronze medal in the 800m freestyle relay.
Nevertheless, the impact of his injury became evident during the 1500m freestyle on the 22nd, where he finished eighth with a time of 15:16.52, having previously won a silver medal in this event at the Hangzhou Games. He experienced significant shoulder pain during the race, leading him to withdraw from the 200m and 800m freestyle events. Ultimately, the possibility of competing in the 400m freestyle also vanished.
In the absence of Kim, Lee Ho-jun (Jeju City Hall) will compete in the men's 400m freestyle, aiming for a medal. Team captain Lee Joo-ho is determined to overcome his disappointment in the men's 200m backstroke, where he seeks to secure a gold medal.
On the final day of swimming events on the 25th, medal opportunities continue with Park Si-eun (Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Sports Council) in the women's 200m breaststroke and Jo Sung-jae (Military Sports Corps) in the men's 200m breaststroke. The women's 400m freestyle relay team will also strive for a strong finish.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.