▲ An Dae-myeong, Kim Hwi-ju, Cho Yeong-bin, Jee Min-hyung (Source: CWNU Waggle)

The postponed 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games due to the COVID- 19 pandemic concluded on the 8th of October. A total of 45 countries affiliated with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) participated in the Hangzhou Asian Games, with South Korea fielding 870 athletes. Three of Changwon National University’s alumni also competed in this event. Among them, Ahn Dae- myeong, a graduate student in the Department of Physical Education, represented the national shooting team. Kim Hwi- ju, a graduate in the Department of Physical Education, and Cho Yeong- bin, also a graduate, represented the national canoe team in the 200m sprint. Furthermore, Australian national team athlete Jee Min- hyung, is scheduled to participate in the Paris Olympics to be held in France next year.

Changwon National University graduate student and a shooter of the Busan City Hall team, Ahn Dae- myeong, participated as a national representative in trap shooting at the Hangzhou Asian Games. Clay shooting consists of three official disciplines: skeet, trap, and double trap. Trap shooting involves aiming and shooting at unpredictable clay pigeons launched from five machines buried underground. The speed at which these clay pigeons are launched ranges from 80 to 90 kilometers per hour, making it a highly challenging discipline to master. Ahn Dae- myeong, encouraged by his father, displayed remarkable talent in his first shooting attempt, hitting 18 out of 25 targets. During his time at Jangyu High School, he achieved an impressive record with four gold, two silver, and one bronze medal at the national competition. After graduating from the Korea National Sport University, Ahn Dae- myeong made his debut as a national representative in trap shooting in 2011 and got a bronze medal at the 2018 Jakarta- Palembang Asian Games. In this year's Asian Games, the South Korean team ranked sixth in the team event, falling just 12 points short of the first- place, which was won by the Indian team.

Kim Hwi- ju and Cho Yeong- bin, both graduates of Changwon National University's Department of Physical Education (Freshman class of 2018), competed as members of the men's national canoe team in the 200m sprint at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. Canoeing comprises three disciplines: sprint, slalom, and sprint with dragon boats featuring 10 paddlers, one steerer, and one drummer. Kim Hwi- ju and Cho Yeong- bin’s team recorded a time of 52.832 seconds in the 200m sprint, finishing in 10th place. CWNU's canoeing team has showcased its prowess by winning the overall title at the 39th Korea Canoe Federation (KCF) Chairman's National Canoe Competition and the 41st National Canoe Championships for Men's College Division held in June of this year.

Changwon National University alumnus Jee Min- hyung, who is currently active as a national representative in Australia, is set to participate in the Paris Olympics next year. Graduating from Changwon National University with a degree in Physical Education (University 2010), Jee previously won a bronze medal in women's table tennis doubles with Kim So- ri at the 26th Summer Universiade held in Shenzhen, China, in 2011. In 2013, she represented South Korea at the 27th Summer Universiade along with CWNU's alumni Jo Kyung- hwan. Jee continued to excel in Australia, winning the National Table Tennis Championship and ranking first among Australian female table tennis players in 2018 and 2019. In July of Last year, she participated in the Commonwealth Games, securing one silver and two bronze medals. Currently competing in the French Pro A League, Jee Min- hyung is preparing to compete in the Paris Olympics next year.

Changwon National University’s alumni have been actively demonstrating their skills in various international competitions, not only those mentioned earlier but also Park Ji- eun, a freshman at Changwon National University and the women's singles champion at the 2nd Korean Universities Table Tennis Championship. She is set to represent the Republic of Korea at the International Table Tennis Tournament in Poland, 2023. We look forward to the continued success of CWNU’s alumni in various competitions and applaud their impressive performances at the Asian Games.

By Kim Min-seong, reporter  kms9494274@gmail.com

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