SOUTH KOREA: South Korea's rhythmic gymnast hopes to win the country's first medal in the London Olympics, stepping forward to become the next sporting idol after the figure skating queen Kim Yuna

Record ID: 330790

  • Title: SOUTH KOREA: South Korea's rhythmic gymnast hopes to win the country's first medal in the London Olympics, stepping forward to become the next sporting idol after the figure skating queen Kim Yuna
  • Date: 5th June 2012
  • Summary: SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (RECENT) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF SON AT INTERVIEW (SOUNDBITE) (Korean) SOUTH KOREAN RHYTHMIC GYMNAST SON YEONJAE SAYING: "I almost gave up in seventh grade... I actually stopped for a few days, but that made me feel empty."
  • Embargoed: 20th June 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Korea, Republic of
  • Country: South Korea
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAF0LX52ZPKLNM0UBT55SC5SMIV
  • Story Text: The London Olympics represent the culmination of 12 years of dedication for Son Yeonjae, a South Korean rhythmic gymnast who hopes to win the country's first medal in the discipline.
    If she wins, the attractive 18-year old who is a fluent Russian and English speaker, could become the next Korean sporting idol, following in the footsteps of figure skater Kim Yuna who wowed the country with her gold in the 2010 Winter Olympics.
    "I am not yet the best in the world, although I am moving closer to it step by step as I planned to," Son said told Reuters recently, sitting in front of a "no pain, no gain" banner hanging in her gym in the South Korean capital of Seoul.
    Son, who is sponsored by South Korean electronics giant LG Electronics, currently ranks 5th in the world and has trained for competition since the age of six.
    Her first domestic gold came when she was 11 years old, although she appeared to question whether the sport and regime was for her afterwards.
    "I almost gave up in seventh grade... I actually stopped for a few days, but that made me feel empty," she said.
    At age 16, she won her first international medal at the 2010 Asian Games.
    "I worked hard at international matches last year to win the entry to the Olympics that I had dreamed of," Son said at the national gymnast training centre.
    "Once you are in the final, everyone starts again from zero points. If I perform perfectly then, a good result will come."
    A recent competition in Uzbekistan saw her disqualified as she borrowed a ribbon for one section after hers snapped.
    Still, she showed the steely side of an athlete who is determined to make it to the top.
    "The music was still playing and people were watching me, some even clapping so I just did my best as I wanted to complete my performance," Son added.
    Son trained in Russia for three years, practicing with her Russian coach in a gym where many of her competitors from Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Azerbaijan also train.
    She will leave Seoul on June 4 for two competitions in Austria and Belarus before heading to London for the Olympics.
    After the Olympics, Son will target the 2013 World Championships in Ukraine and 2014 Asian Games in South Korea.
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