ID :
198432
Mon, 08/01/2011 - 09:32
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Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/198432
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S. Korea pins medal hopes on women's marathon
(Daegu Athletics)
SEOUL, Aug. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean women's marathoners are eyeing a podium finish in the team event at the upcoming World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, trying to save the host nation from getting shut out in the medal standings.
The southeastern metropolis will host the world championships from Aug. 27-Sept. 4, with the marathon scheduled for the final day. That will give marathoners a few extra days to prepare for the run in the city, notorious for summer heat waves.
Coach Yoo Jae-sung said his runners will be "competitive" even against the world's best.
"They're all in good shape," Yoo said. "We've built a team of runners that can handle the heat, and I think there's a strong possibility of a medal."
South Korea is trying to avoid becoming only the third host of the athletics world championships to fail to win a medal. It has a modest goal of finishing in the top 10 in 10 events.
The team event in the women's marathon is one of those 10 events. Medals are awarded based on the times of the three fastest finishers for each country.
Yoo believes homegrown marathoners will be better equipped to deal with the scorching conditions in Daegu, and that the hot and humid weather will somewhat level the playing field.
Chung Yun-hee is considered the team leader. Yoo said Chung, who placed third at the Seoul International Marathon in March, is "in perfect shape, mentally and physically."
Chung, whose personal best is 2 hours, 30 minutes and 50 seconds, said she doesn't easily tire in the summer heat.
"Using our home field advantage, I am also trying to win an individual medal," the 29-year-old said. "Marathon is a very long race and you never know what will happen until you cross the finish line. Everyone's working hard and hopefully we will have a good finish as a team."
The team also includes Kim Sung-eun, a 22-year-old who recorded Korea's fourth-best time ever (2:29:27) in her first marathon in 2009. She said she is recovered from nagging injuries from a year ago.
Choi Bo-ra, 19, has a personal best of 2:34:13, and she said she hopes to contribute to the team's podium finish while breaking the national record of 2:26:12, set by Kwon Eun-joo in 1997.
South Koreans, though, are still far from the world standard. Paula Radcliffe holds the world record with a time of 2:15:25.
SEOUL, Aug. 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean women's marathoners are eyeing a podium finish in the team event at the upcoming World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, trying to save the host nation from getting shut out in the medal standings.
The southeastern metropolis will host the world championships from Aug. 27-Sept. 4, with the marathon scheduled for the final day. That will give marathoners a few extra days to prepare for the run in the city, notorious for summer heat waves.
Coach Yoo Jae-sung said his runners will be "competitive" even against the world's best.
"They're all in good shape," Yoo said. "We've built a team of runners that can handle the heat, and I think there's a strong possibility of a medal."
South Korea is trying to avoid becoming only the third host of the athletics world championships to fail to win a medal. It has a modest goal of finishing in the top 10 in 10 events.
The team event in the women's marathon is one of those 10 events. Medals are awarded based on the times of the three fastest finishers for each country.
Yoo believes homegrown marathoners will be better equipped to deal with the scorching conditions in Daegu, and that the hot and humid weather will somewhat level the playing field.
Chung Yun-hee is considered the team leader. Yoo said Chung, who placed third at the Seoul International Marathon in March, is "in perfect shape, mentally and physically."
Chung, whose personal best is 2 hours, 30 minutes and 50 seconds, said she doesn't easily tire in the summer heat.
"Using our home field advantage, I am also trying to win an individual medal," the 29-year-old said. "Marathon is a very long race and you never know what will happen until you cross the finish line. Everyone's working hard and hopefully we will have a good finish as a team."
The team also includes Kim Sung-eun, a 22-year-old who recorded Korea's fourth-best time ever (2:29:27) in her first marathon in 2009. She said she is recovered from nagging injuries from a year ago.
Choi Bo-ra, 19, has a personal best of 2:34:13, and she said she hopes to contribute to the team's podium finish while breaking the national record of 2:26:12, set by Kwon Eun-joo in 1997.
South Koreans, though, are still far from the world standard. Paula Radcliffe holds the world record with a time of 2:15:25.
