[Anchor]
Swimmer Kim Woo-min, who emerged as the ace of South Korean swimming by winning three gold medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games three years ago, is now aiming for an unprecedented four gold medals in Nagoya.
Reporter Kim Hyeong-yeol met with Kim Woo-min, who is once again showing fierce determination to "burn his limbs to ashes."
[Reporter]
Three years ago in Hangzhou, Kim Woo-min became the leading figure of South Korean swimming by claiming three gold medals, the first such feat by a South Korean swimmer since Park Tae-hwan in 13 years.
Following that, he won the gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle at the World Championships the next year, and secured a bronze medal with a passionate, heart-pounding effort at the Paris Olympics.
[Kim Woo-min / National Swimming Team Member (July 2024): It felt like my limbs were burning up, but I think I endured and pushed through until the end for this Olympic medal.]
Now, he is preparing to make history once again on the Asian Games stage, where he first made a name for himself.
Along with aiming to become the first South Korean swimmer to win four gold medals at a single Asian Games, he plans to compete in up to six events and target a medal in every single one of them.
[Kim Woo-min / National Swimming Team Member: My goal is not to give up on any race and to compete in every event that I possibly can.]
Amidst fierce checks from rivals including China's Zhang Zhanshuo—ranked second in the world this season in the 400-meter freestyle—and recent shoulder pain, Kim Woo-min reset his mindset by positioning himself as a challenger.
[Kim Woo-min / National Swimming Team Member: When I approach it as a challenger, I feel much more at ease and it gives me a bit more courage... But I really think I am the challenger.]
And with his trademark fighting spirit,
[Kim Woo-min / National Swimming Team Member: I'll burn them out once more this time. What, (are you going to burn your limbs to ashes once again?) I've got to burn them!]
He also left a playful, affectionate request for legendary senior swimmer and SBS commentator Park Tae-hwan, who is an astrological sign-mate born 12 years apart.
[Kim Woo-min / National Swimming Team Member: If I do well in my races this time, I hope (Commentator Park) will treat me to another delicious meal.]
Standing once again at the starting line toward a new history, Kim Woo-min departs for the battleground tomorrow (the 17th).
(Video taken by Choi Dae-woong, Video edited by Park Gi-deok, Design by Lee Ga-jin)
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