Woo Sang-hyeok, Who Competed in Asian Games with Injury, Withdraws from National Sports Festival High Jump

▲ Woo Sang-hyeok is introduced at the stadium prior to the men's general division high jump final at the National Sports Festival on October 21.

Woo Sang-hyeok (Yongin City Hall), the star of South Korean track and field high jump, failed to properly complete his match due to the aftermath of an injury, missing out on his seventh consecutive victory at the National Sports Festival.

Woo competed in the men's general division high jump final at the 107th National Sports Festival held at Seogwipo Gangchanghak Stadium on October 21, but due to his injury, he chose not to attempt his first height of 1.90 meters, finishing the competition without a recorded mark.

Except for 2020 and 2021, when the competition was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Woo had achieved six consecutive titles at the National Sports Festival from 2018 until last year, but this time he was unable to make a "golden leap."

Woo has battled injuries this year, during which the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games took place.

In May, during the Seiko Golden Grand Prix held in Tokyo, Japan, his left spike tore and exposed his foot, resulting in an injury.

At the time of the incident, it was reported as a minor abrasion, but after the Asian Games in September, it was revealed to be a severe injury involving a torn ligament on the top of his foot.

Enduring this injury, he cleared 2.22 meters at the Asian Games last month to win a bronze medal, successfully claiming a medal for the third consecutive time following the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang (silver) and 2022 Hangzhou (silver) games.

Facing the National Sports Festival less than a month after the Asian Games and not yet fully recovered, he opted to look ahead to the future to prevent a more serious injury.

Woo explained, "Next season is really important for the Olympics, so I plan to immediately begin preparations starting next month. I was concerned that competing in my current condition could make things worse."

He added, "Competing in the Asian Games gave me the conviction that if you wait just a little longer, I will be able to show you great jumps next season. It is truly disappointing today, but I will overcome this well and prepare thoroughly for the next chapter."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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