Yeo Hong-chul Tears Up as Daughter Wins Asian Games Gold

"I Hope She Keeps Performing Well Through the Olympics"

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By Park Dong-hwislypdh@sedaily.com
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Yeo Seo-jeong performs her second vault attempt in the women's vault final in artistic gymnastics at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at the Rainbow Hall of the Nagoya Municipal Gymnasium in Japan on Nov. 24. Yonhap News - Seoul Economic Daily Sports News from South Korea
Yeo Seo-jeong performs her second vault attempt in the women's vault final in artistic gymnastics at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at the Rainbow Hall of the Nagoya Municipal Gymnasium in Japan on Nov. 24. Yonhap News

When South Korean gymnast Yeo Seo-jeong claimed another Asian title, her father, Yeo Hong-chul, executive director of the Korea Gymnastics Association, promised from the broadcast booth to "buy her something delicious."

Yeo Seo-jeong scored 14.483 points to win gold in the women's vault final at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held on the 24th at the Rainbow Hall of the Nagoya Gymnasium in Japan. It was her second career Asian Games title, following the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games.

The victory gave the father and daughter a rare shared record, with each having won two Asian Games gold medals.

Yeo Seo-jeong signals the start of her second vault attempt in the women's vault final in artistic gymnastics at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at the Rainbow Hall of the Nagoya Municipal Gymnasium in Japan on Nov. 24. Yonhap News - Seoul Economic Daily Sports News from South Korea
Yeo Seo-jeong signals the start of her second vault attempt in the women's vault final in artistic gymnastics at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at the Rainbow Hall of the Nagoya Municipal Gymnasium in Japan on Nov. 24. Yonhap News

Yeo Hong-chul was one of South Korea's most prominent gymnasts, winning Asian Games gold in the vault twice as a competitor, in 1994 and 1998.

Working as a commentator for KBS at the venue, he repeatedly said "thank you" and teared up as his daughter's gold medal was confirmed. He then raised both arms in celebration.

Before the competition, he had said he was nervous. "We exchanged text messages and she said she was nervous. I'm nervous too," he said, adding that his daughter had struggled with injuries and emotional strain in the run-up to the event.

"She worked hard. When she comes home, I'll buy her something delicious," he said. "Seo-jeong really likes seafood, things like octopus and abalone."

He also voiced full support for his daughter's continued Olympic ambitions. "Seo-jeong wants to compete through the LA Olympics," he said. "I hope she keeps showing good performances."

News1 - Seoul Economic Daily Sports News from South Korea
News1

Original reporting by Park Dong-hwi for Seoul Economic Daily.

AI-translated from Korean. Quotes from foreign sources are based on Korean-language reports and may not reflect exact original wording.

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