Im Ae-ji (Hwasun County Office), who became the first-ever South Korean female boxer to win an Olympic bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, will miss the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games due to an injury.

An official from the Boxing Association of Korea stated, "Im Ae-ji injured her knee during training and will undergo surgery, preventing her from participating in the Asian Games."

Im, who was scheduled to compete in the women's 54kg division at this Asian Games, recently suffered a torn cruciate ligament in her left knee during sparring training and underwent surgery.

Through her social media, Im shared, "I am deeply disappointed that I cannot join, but please send even more support to our national athletes."

The Boxing Association of Korea has selected Yang Yi-young (Gumi City Athletic Association), who finished second in the women's 54kg national team trials, as the replacement athlete and has requested approval for the national team roster change from the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee.

(Photo: Yonhap News)