[Asian Games] Military Exemption Lost Due to One Mistake... Roller Men’s National Team’s Premature Celebration Leads to Silver Medal

The South Korean men's roller skate speed team won the silver medal in the 3000m relay at the '2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.' The South Korean men's team initially led the race but unfortunately lost the gold medal after an early celebration just before the finish line.

Early celebration. On the 2nd, at the Qiantang Rollersports Center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, in the men's speed roller skating 3,000m relay at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Korea's final runner Jeong Cheol-won crossed the finish line in second place.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

The team, composed of Choi In-ho (Nonsan City Hall), Choi Kwang-ho (Daegu City Hall), and Jung Cheol-won (Andong City Hall), finished second in the final held on the 2nd at the Qiantang Roller Sports Center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.

The Korean team was in first place until the last lap, making them the likely winners. However, the last runner, Jung, confident of victory, celebrated before crossing the finish line, which caused the problem. At the moment Jung straightened his back and raised both arms just before the finish line, the Taiwanese runner behind him made a final sprint and stretched out his left foot to cross the finish line first.

On the 2nd, at the Qiantang Rollersports Center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, during the men's speed roller skating 3,000m relay at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Korean athletes were checking their times and appeared surprised while celebrating. From left: Choi In-ho, Choi Kwang-ho, Jeong Cheol-won.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

As a result, Taiwan won the gold medal with a time of 4 minutes 05.692 seconds, and Korea took the silver medal with a time of 4 minutes 05.702 seconds, just 0.01 seconds behind.

The athletes, who initially expected to finish first, could not hide their dismay after the official results were confirmed. Some media outlets also mistakenly reported that the Korean team had won first place, which later had to be corrected.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After the awards ceremony, Jung apologized in a subdued voice, saying, "My mistake was too big. I am sorry to my teammates and to everyone who supported us." He added, "I was careless and made the mistake of not finishing the race properly," and said, "I told my teammates, 'We worked hard together, and I am very sorry.'" When asked by reporters for further explanation, he only responded, "It was a very big mistake of mine," and "I only feel sorry and apologetic."

With the team winning the silver medal, Jung and Choi In-ho lost their opportunity for military service exemption. Meanwhile, Choi Kwang-ho, who had already been exempted from military service due to ulcerative colitis, previously won the gold medal in the men's sprint 1000m event.

Since the roller skate events began on the 30th of last month, South Korea has won medals for three consecutive days at the competition.