South Korean high jumper Woo Sang-hyeok has set his sights on winning the gold medal at the upcoming World Championships. Woo, who is the reigning silver medalist in the men’s high jump, believes he can make history by becoming the first South Korean athlete to win multiple career medals or grab medals in back-to-back world athletics championships.
In preparation for the championships, Woo held an open training session at Munhak Stadium in Incheon. Two days before departing for Europe to continue his training, Woo expressed confidence in both his preparation and his ability to handle the pressure of the competition.
Woo’s journey to the gold medal will begin with a local event in Germany on Sunday. He will then head to Hungary on August 17, just three days before the qualification for the men’s high jump. The final is scheduled for August 22 in Budapest.
The South Korean athlete is ranked fourth in the world for the season, with 1,332 points accumulated from international competitions. Currently, JuVaughn Harrison of the United States, who remains undefeated in five competitions this year, leads the rankings with 1,383 points, followed closely by Qatar’s Mutaz Essa Barshim, the three-time reigning world champion.
Barshim currently holds the best record of the season at 2.36 meters, while Harrison is tied for second at 2.35m. Woo’s best jump of the season is 2.33m, placing him in a three-way tie for sixth.
Reflecting on last year’s world championships, where he won the silver medal, Woo admitted that he wasn’t in his best physical form at the time. Determined not to repeat the same mistake, he has put significant effort into maintaining his optimal weight and ensuring his training is on point.
Woo sees the strong performances of Barshim and Harrison this season as great motivation for himself. He believes that had he competed in the same events where they set impressive records, the outcomes would have been different.
Looking ahead to his busy schedule, Woo won’t likely return home until mid to late September. After the World Championships, he plans to participate in a Diamond League event in Zurich at the end of August. If he accumulates enough Diamond League points by then, he will qualify for the Diamond League Final in Eugene, Oregon.
Later, Woo will briefly return home before heading to Hangzhou, China, for the Asian Games. The men’s high jump final at the Asian Games is scheduled for October 4.
Woo’s determination and focus on winning the gold medal have fueled his confidence, and he is ready to embrace the challenge at the World Championships. With his impressive performances and hard work, Woo aims to etch his name in history as he competes against the world’s best high jumpers.
