'High Jump' Woo Sang-hyeok, First Korean Track Athlete in 25 Years to Reach Finals

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Woo Sang-hyeok (25, Armed Forces Athletic Corps), the men's high jump athlete, secured a ticket to the final. This marks the first time in 25 years since Lee Jin-taek placed 8th at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics that a South Korean athlete has advanced to the track & field final.

On the 30th, at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium (New National Stadium), Woo Sang-hyeok cleared 2.28 meters in the men's high jump qualifying round to advance to the final. He easily cleared 2.17m, 2.21m, and 2.25m on his first attempts. Although he failed on his first attempt at 2.28m, he succeeded on his second attempt. In this competition, athletes who clear 2.30m or rank within the top 12 out of 33 competitors advance to the final.

Woo Sang-hyeok will compete in the final on August 1st at 7:10 PM.