“It’s harder to find a place that doesn’t hurt.”
When asked about her plans for the Paris Olympics, Kim Soo-ji (26, Ulsan Metropolitan City Hall), who is building up Korean diving history, said, “I want to take a rest because the injury is too big.” She meant that she always brings positive energy with her bright expressions and cheerful gestures when playing games, but behind the scenes, there is always a fight against injuries.
Kim Soo-ji and Lee Jae-kyung (25, Incheon Metropolitan City) scored 285.03 points in the final of the diving mixed 3-meter synchro at the 2024 Doha World Swimming Championships held at Hamad Aquatic Center in Doha, Qatar, on the 10th (Korea time), ranking third after Madison Kinney-Domonique Bedgood (300.93 points) and Chiara Pelacani-Mateo Santoro (287.49 points) and winning the bronze medal.
It was the first time for South Korea to win a medal in the synchronous event in which the two of them played in a group in the world championship diving, making it a more valuable bronze medal.
In addition, Kim Soo-ji became a multi-medalist in the women’s 3m springboard held a day earlier local time, following the bronze medal. Kim Soo-ji, who won the bronze medal in the women’s 1m springboard at the 2019 Gwangju World Championships and became the first Korean diver to become a world championship medalist, became the most medal-winning Korean swimmer in the world championships along with “Marine Boy” Park Tae-hwan (gold 2 bronze 1) with two more bronze medals.
Like this, Kim Soo-ji continues to rewrite or replace the history of diving in Korea, but he also revealed his heartache caused by injuries.
In an exclusive interview with Expo News shortly after the mixed 3-meter synchronization ceremony on the 11th, he said, “I think I’m still not good enough. I think I’ve had a lot of luck with medals.” When asked about his plans for the Tokyo Olympics, he said, “The injury has become very wide, as it is more difficult to find a place without injuries.”
Kim was worried about a torn cartilage in her left knee in December last year, two months before the championship. Immediately after winning the bronze medal in the 3-meter springboard on the previous day, she said, “I feel uncomfortable in my daily life, but I don’t feel sick when I exercise, maybe because I do it every day. It’s okay,” but she candidly shared her concerns about the injury on the day.
Lee Jae-kyung, who became an ace skater in Korean men’s diving by winning silver and bronze medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year, became the first Korean male medalist in world diving. In July, she will be on the Olympic stage (men’s 3-meter springboard) for the first time in her career.
Lee Jae-kyung said, “If I have a chance, I want to improve or maintain my performance at the Singapore World Championships next year,” and expressed his desire to work with Kim Soo-ji once more in a mixed event.
Currently, Lee Jae-kyung plays for Incheon City Hall, but the two have been dreaming of becoming divers in Ulsan since they were young and know each other well. The two said that they fit well with the synchronization as if one were acting.
The following is a question-and-answer session with Kim Soo-ji and Lee Jae-kyung.
-I think this bronze medal will be special because I finished 4th at the Fukuoka World Championships last year.
(Lee Jae-kyung) Unfortunately, I came in fourth at the Fukuoka World Championship, so I think I practiced with the mindset that I should take it one step higher this time. I am so happy that I was able to take it one step higher.
(Kim Soo-ji) It was a competition where I was satisfied with my performance of fourth place, but this time, I came in third place like this. I think I was really lucky.
Q: Until the 5th period, he kept dropping his competitors without making any big mistakes. If you have any motivation, what will you do.
(Lee Jae-kyung) When it comes to driving force, my daughter or wife (Kang Yuna, a former diver) is the biggest driving force. Also, I can exercise comfortably thanks to those who are always supportive of me, such as my parents, mother-in-law, and father-in-law.
(Kim Soo-ji) I think I was also a big fan of my parents who came to support me. And I think I had a lot of fun because (Lee) Jae-kyung talked to me a lot while doing synchro together.
-I thought it would be difficult to get a medal due to a mistake in the 5th period, but the British players made a big mistake and the medal was confirmed. How did you feel.
(Lee Jae-kyung) Su-ji and I were doing well in the last round, and although it wasn’t a big mistake in the last move, we made a mistake in what we were supposed to do. Su-ji was so nice to me, and I thought I would catch up with her, but I made a big mistake (in England). I thought, “What should they do?” I won a medal.
(Kim Soo-ji) While talking with the Italians (who won the silver medal), I had some expectations after the British players fell. I was very happy after the score came out like that, but at the same time, I felt a little uncomfortable. I thought that it would have been much better if all the players had performed well and all of them won in a good way 마카오카지노.
- Lee Jae-kyung is the first medal, and Kim Su-ji is the first Korean mixed medal, recording the most medal tie in the world championships. What do you think.
(Lee Jae-kyung) Since it’s not an official event, of course, I’m very happy to win a medal, whether it’s an official event or an event (not an Olympic event), but I think I’ll be much happier then if I can win a medal in individual events or synchro (Olympic events).
(Kim Soo-ji) I think I’m getting pretty good results at the Doha World Championships, but I think I’m still not good enough. I think I’ve had a lot of luck in medals as well. Luck is also my skill, but I’ll continue to work hard and prepare well for the Olympics.
-I think people around me wanted to win a medal because it was Lunar New Year’s Day.
(Lee Jae-kyung) I forgot it was New Year’s Day, but now I’m so happy to take a medal as a gift.
(Kim Soo-ji) I’m sure all my family members and relatives were watching this, and I was so happy to be able to show you such a good performance. Happy New Year, everyone!
-I know you’ve been diving together in Ulsan for a long time. I wonder how much you’ve done together and if it helps you a lot when you do synchro together.
(Lee Jae-kyung) Certainly, it would be nice to meet people who are good at synchro partners, but there are advantages to training together for a long time. In addition to the bond, if you were a colleague who trained together, it would be helpful to be good at synchro.
(Kim Soo-ji) I think so, too. In synchro, I think we should have a good chemistry rather than our individual skills. Since we grew up together, I think we can match it better.
-Each sport has its own, so I think we didn’t have enough time to train for mixed synchro.
(Lee Jae-kyung) I don’t usually get it right. I didn’t get it right even before the upcoming event. Everyone puts winning tickets for the Olympics as their top priority, and events like this one are second priority. Still, since we have spent a lot of time together since we were young, I think we were able to get it right when we synchronized well.
(Kim Soo-ji) I did my best because I was doing my sport, and Jae-kyung (a male athlete) adjusted it for me. I only matched my hands and feet twice, but I’m glad the results came out so well.
- Since Lee Jae-kyung has power, you have to match Kim Soo-ji’s speed. If you have a secret.
(Lee Jae-kyung) It wasn’t that difficult to synchronize other players. The most difficult person is Woo Ha-ram, who is very strong and tall. However, when performing with other players, he can often imitate the beat, movement, and feeling, which is very helpful when performing synchronization.
Q: Will you participate in the World Championships in Singapore next year? Q: Do you have any goals.
(Lee Jae-kyung) If that happens, I want to go one step higher or maintain my grades now.
(Kim Soo-ji) I’m not greedy, so I’ll just enjoy it all the time.
Q: You’re going to participate in the Paris Olympics. What’s your plan.
(Kim Soo-ji) The injury has become so wide that it is more difficult to find where there is no injury. So I think rest is important for now. After that, I think it’s important to stack it up step by step, and build it up a little firmly.
(Lee Jae-kyung) Compared to other players, there are no painful areas, but I will always train hard and prepare to go higher.