South Korea among top three Asian countries, but criticized for training methods

Asian nations shine at these Olympics. Three of them occupy the top 10 of the general ranking: China, Japan and South Korea.

As usual, China is now competing with the United States with 83 medals and is even breaking records, notably thanks to the impressive swimmer Pan Zhanle and his 100m freestyle in just 46″40. Japan is also performing well, currently ranked 4th in the general ranking, with medals in fencing and artistic gymnastics.

Often overshadowed by the two previous ones, South Korea is also one of those Asian nations that shines during these Olympics. Seventh in the general ranking, South Korea was able to impose itself without too much difficulty on its key fields, notably archery. The South Koreans won gold in five out of five events, an unchallenged domination and even a world record for points among women.

Pistol shooting, judo and taekwondo (Korea’s national sport), the “land of the morning calm” has managed to climb onto many podiums. One of the latest is women’s badminton, where Korea won against China, which nevertheless dominates this sport internationally.

Already at the top of the sport at 22, South Korean An Se-young, world number 1, Asian champion and now Olympic badminton champion, was promised a great future in the South Korean national team. But after winning gold for her country, a first since the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, the young racket prodigy announced she wanted to leave her federation. Injured in the knee last year, she said she was disappointed by the behavior of her coaches. An Se-young explained that her federation did not want to listen to her when she said she could not play because of the pain, and forced her to compete.

A typically Korean race for performance that the young athlete denounces, who now intends to pursue her career alone. Her poignant testimony has attracted significant support from a large majority of South Koreans who identify with her. For the federation, the departure of its star player risks slowing down its ambitions for international competition as well as the recruitment of future players.