 Son Tae-jin, left, and Lim Su-jeong pose with their gold medals at a press conference in Beijing, Friday. / Yonhap |
By Sunny Lee
Korea Times Correspondent
BEIJING ― South Korea could lose its international dominance in international taekwondo competitions unless the sport gets more support, the country's coaches and gold medallists in the sport said Friday.
In a news conference at the Korea House, they said certain countries are providing
more support and finance to raise the status of taekwondo, and that South Korea should do the same.
``We shouldn't take it for granted. We need support, we need love, said the coaches
for gold medallists Son Tae-jin and Lim Su-jeong. Son's coach is Kim Sei-hyeok
and Lim's is Kim Bong-kun.
In Athens four years ago, the national team won two golds and two bronzes to the shame of the country where the martial art was born. ``I ask why it is always natural for Korea to get golds but when we don't, we're dubbed traitors?'' said Kim Sei-hyeok.
`` It's my first time to be in charge of the national taekwondo team. We are the home country for taekwondo. But we have room for improvement. In Iran, each athlete gets four staffers to take care of him. In Australia, it's seven, including the technique coach, media contact, medic, nutrition expert and logistics manager.''
Without the necessary support, taekwondo in South Korea will face difficulty, and this must change, Kim Sei-hyeok said.
Korean Olympic Committee President Lee Yeon-taek added, `` The Korean team stayed at eight gold medals for a while. Then we added two more Thursday, clearly achieving our goal. I want to take this opportunity to thank the athletes and the people for their support. I hope there is renewed recognition for taekwondo and support in the nation.''
Son said, `` I want to thank all the people involved for their support. I will do my best to earn a gold in London as well.''
Lim said, `` Thank you. All along, I felt that I was representing Korea and that's why I believe I obtained the good result.''
She said before the competition, she dreamed of winning the gold in her sleep. So, when she won, she was confused about whether it was a dream or not.
''I didn't sleep at all last night because I couldn't believe I won the gold,'' she said. ''I'll be more sure when I go back to Korea.''
`` The day before the competition was my birthday. Because it was my birthday, I thought something good would happen to me, that I'd have a good day tomorrow. That night, I dreamed that a friend congratulated me for winning the gold.''
Son also had a dream in which Lim appeared. ``We ran along the mountain hills while training in taekwondo uniforms. I told Lim 'We are training hard. I think we should get gold.' Then, she replied 'Of course,'' he said.
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