“I have a lot to prove as an athlete, so I thought I should refrain from (broadcast appearances, commercial requests, interviews, etc.) and fulfill my dreams first, and then it won’t be too late.”
Badminton sensation Ahn Se-young (21, Samsung Life Insurance), who gave a “golden smash” at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games while playing on a sore knee, shared why she chose to stay out of the spotlight.
Ahn attended the “Thank you, TEAM KOREA” event to encourage the Korean athletes for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games at Lotte Hotel in Jamsil, Seoul, on Tuesday.
In her first official appearance since the Asian Games, Ahn shared an update, saying, “I’ve been focusing on rehabilitation since my injury,” and “I’ve really had time to fully recharge my body.”
“Now (the injury) has improved a lot, and I’ve gained strength,” she said, adding, “I’m planning to compete in international competitions starting in Japan in mid-November.”
Ahn won two badminton team and women’s singles titles at the Asian Games. In the women’s singles final against Chen Yufei (CHINA), Ahn put up an incredible fight overcoming a torn ligament around her knee.
After the tournament, she was diagnosed with a torn knee tendon and went into rehabilitation.
She was offered a number of broadcast and commercial appearances, but she politely declined, saying she wanted to focus on rest and injury treatment.
“I’m really grateful that so many people were interested in me and asked for interviews and commercials,” Ahn said, “but I still have a lot of matches left, and I haven’t fulfilled my dreams yet. 안전토토사이트
“I’m sorry, but I focused on improving my body first,” she said, “I have a lot to show as an athlete, so I’m just going to focus on the badminton I’m playing now,” she added.
“I won the Asian Games, but I don’t have an Olympic medal,” she said, adding, “I think I need to work harder for the Olympics.
” When asked if he would appear in commercials, broadcasts, etc. if he wins a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, he laughed and said, “If a lot of people want it and I can afford it, I will do it,” but added, “If only.”
Paris is still about nine months away.
“The Olympic race is still going on,” Ahn said. “
I’ve been running hard so far, and I saw good results at the Asian Games,” Ahn said, emphasizing that “if I really do my best every day, I’ll be able to finish well enough for the Olympics.
Meanwhile, the Korean Sports Ministry used the event to recognize the athletes who finished third overall at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games with 42 gold, 59 silver and 89 bronze medals.
The ceremony was attended by 350 people, including officials and medalists from the Hangzhou Asian Games, President Lee Ki-heung and Choi Yoon.