Rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae eyes Asian Games gold

Now it is her turn.

Korean athletes who received the spotlight from fans before the Incheon Asian Games opened were swimmer Park Tae-hwan, men’s gymnastics Yang Hak-seon, and rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae. In particular, Son was selected in a survey as the most anticipated athletes in these Games.

Although Park and Yang did not strike gold, Son is highly likely to do so. She completed the World Championships in Turkey on September 27 and returned to Korea on September 28. She won a bronze in the hoop discipline. In the individual finals, she came in fourth, the highest by a Korean in history.

She also has one up on China’s Deng Senyue who is expected to be Son’s rival for the gold at the Asiad. Son scored a total store of 70.933 (Clubs 17.800; Ribbon 17.833; Hoop 17.950; and Ball 17.350). Deng, who came in fifth in the individual finals at the World Championships, scored lower on all fronts than Son (Clubs; 17.450, Ribbon 17.316; Hoop 17.800; Ball 17.200)

Yet Son must not let down her guard. Unlike early in the season, Deng has narrowed the gap with Son at the World Championships. Said Son, Deng is a truly threatening athlete when she does not make mistakes. The Asian Games will most certainly be a difficult showdown.

Son must also shake off the expectations on her, which could weigh her down. She admitted that she felt a sense of burden and that it strikes her as reality now that she is in Incheon. Given all of the nation wants it and given she has a target, she needs to battle the pressure well, Son said.

Immediately upon her arrival, Son rested at the athlete’s village. The rhythmic gymnastics events run for two days from October 1. The key is to adjust to the jet lag and recoup her physical stamina. Son said although the schedule is tight, everyone competes in those circumstances. She said who recovers sooner will be important.