[Olympics] 'Akhjeonggotu' Won Yoonjong: "Sorry for not meeting expectations, I won't stop here"

Breakman Seo Young-woo Faces Injury and Other Setbacks
Men's Four-Man Bobsleigh Finishes 18th, Fails to Secure Consecutive Medals

On the 19th, at the National Sliding Center in Yanqing, Beijing, China, the team of Won Yoon-jong, Kim Jin-su, Jung Hyun-woo, and Kim Dong-hyun made a powerful start in the first run of the men's four-man bobsleigh event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Won Yoonjong (37, Gangwon Province Office), the leading Korean male bobsledder who finished the last event for the Korean team at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, expressed his determination, saying, "The result is disappointing, but I will use this competition as a stepping stone to work harder."

On the 20th, at the National Sliding Center in Yanqing, Beijing, China, Won Yoonjong's team participated in the men's four-man bobsleigh event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and ranked 18th out of 28 teams. After winning the silver medal in the four-man event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, they challenged for a second crown but unfortunately failed to enter the medal zone.

Won Yoonjong's team faced numerous obstacles while preparing for the Beijing Games. At the recent International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) World Cup, due to a shipping company's mistake, the container carrying their main sled was sent elsewhere, forcing them to compete in the early stages of the competition with a backup sled.

Additionally, after the Pyeongchang Games, the Pyeongchang Sliding Center was not properly maintained, so they had to maintain their performance through training away from their home track. Moreover, their "soul partner" Seo Youngwoo (Gyeonggi BS Gyeonggi Federation) left the team due to injury, dealing a significant blow to their strength.

After the competition, in the mixed zone, Won Yoonjong said, "Since the beginning of the season, a series of adverse events made it mentally very difficult," adding, "But I tried to overcome them and endured to reach this point."

Regarding Seo Youngwoo, who could not participate in the competition, he said, "It's regrettable and bittersweet," and "I was very grateful when Youngwoo cheered me on to stay strong."

On the 19th, at the National Sliding Center in Yanqing, Beijing, China, the team of Won Yoon-jong, Kim Jin-su, Jung Hyun-woo, and Kim Dong-hyun moved their sled after completing the first run of the men's four-man bobsleigh event at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Ending the Beijing Winter Olympics empty-handed, Won Yoonjong said, "I shouldn't stop here just because it's disappointing," and "I think I can fill in what was lacking."

He continued, "(Teammate) Seok Youngjin is also a pilot who has greatly improved his level," and "I look forward to the future four years from now."

Finally, Won Yoonjong apologized to his juniors who competed with him, saying, "They trusted and followed me, but I'm sorry I couldn't respond with results."

The bobsleigh team, concluding the Beijing Winter Olympics with a promise for four years later, will return home on the 21st.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.