South Korean women's table tennis ace Shin Yubin and rower Kim Dong-yong have been selected as the flag bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee announced today (the 17th) that the two athletes will lead the South Korean delegation carrying the national flag at the opening ceremony of the tournament, which will take place on the 19th at the Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan.

Shin Yubin, a leading figure in South Korean table tennis, will compete in the women's singles, doubles, team, and mixed doubles events aiming for four medals. She is considered a strong gold medal contender, particularly in the mixed doubles event paired with Lim Jong-hoon.

She previously won four medals at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, securing a gold in the women's doubles and bronze medals in the women's singles, mixed doubles, and women's team events.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, she also claimed bronze medals in the women's team and mixed doubles events.

Kim Dong-yong is a veteran who has worn the national flag for 17 years. He will compete in the double sculls and quadruple sculls at this tournament, with high expectations for a medal in the quadruple sculls.

The captains for the South Korean delegation have also been designated.

Veteran male archer Kim Woo-jin and female shooter Lee Bo-na will serve as the male and female captains.

Born in 1992, Kim Woo-jin is widely recognized as the world's best archer, having collected a total of 18 gold medals across the Olympics (5), World Championships (10), and Asian Games (3).

Born in 1981, shotgun shooter Lee Bo-na is the oldest female athlete in the South Korean delegation.

Having won a silver and a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, she also claimed a gold medal in the double trap team event at the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

The main contingent of the South Korean delegation will arrive at the battleground today (the 17th) through Chubu Centrair International Airport in Japan.

The flag bearers for today's departure were Shin Yubin and badminton player Seo Seung-jae.

(Photo: Yonhap News)