—Wins Gold Medal at 2014 Asian Games in Incheon

Yonsei sophomore Son Yeon-jae won the gold medal for the individual all-around in rhythmic gymnastics at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. A major in Sports and Leisure Studies, Son scored 18.1 in clubs, 18.083 in ribbon, 18.216 in hoop, and 17.3 in ball for an overall score of 71.699. The event was held October 2 at the Namdong Gymnasium in Incheon, and Son’s gold medal is the first ever for a South Korean in rhythmic gymnastics. Son’s breakthrough came at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, where she became the first South Korean rhythmic gymnast to win a medal, taking home bronze in the all-around.   

At the press conference following her triumph, Son said: “I did not feel anything until South Korea’s national anthem started playing and the Korean flag started to go up. Then I remembered how hard I trained. It was so difficult, but my determination paid off.” After taking bronze in hoop at the 2014 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Turkey, expectations for Son were high at the Incheon games.  In addition to her gold in the individual all-around, Son led South Korea to a silver medal in the team competition, which was also a first. In the team competition, Uzbekistan won the gold, while Kazakhstan received bronze.       

Son Cheers for Yonsei during YonKo Games

On October 7, Son Yeon-jae met with Yonsei President Jeong Kap-young. She showed him her gold medal from the Incheon Asian Games and presented him with a commemorative gift from the games.  President Jeong, who has a picture of Son in his office, congratulated her on her achievement, saying: “I was hoping for a good result, and I am very proud of you and happy for you.” During their meeting, President Jeong gave Son a book and scarf and conversed with her about school and rhythmic gymnastics. “I hope you will continue to excel in your competitions,” he said, adding: “But don’t forget your studies as a Yonsei student.”

During Son’s visit to the Sinchon Campus, a number of students and admirers gathered to congratulate her and take pictures with her. She told the crowd: “I am happy to win a gold medal at this Asian Games, which promoted Incheon to the world.” Son also joined her fellow Yonsei students at the annual YonKo Games, which were held October 10 and 11.  Wearing the blue and white colors of Yonsei, she received a rousing ovation from the crowd before joining them in cheering on Yonsei’s teams. On October 18 and 19, Son performed in the Gala Show at the Ilsan Kintex. Currently, she is training for next year’s rhythmic gymnastics season.