Kim Woo-min (22-Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province) was the athlete whose name was called most often at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games Prize Presentation Ceremony held by the Korean Swimming Federation. Kim received 28.83 million won ($28.34 million) at the prize-giving ceremony held at the Olympic Parktel in Bangdong, Songpa-gu, Seoul on Thursday. Kim, who won three medals at the Hangzhou Asian Games (men’s freestyle 400m-800m and men’s freestyle relay 800m) and a silver medal in the 1,500m freestyle, also received a medal for breaking the Korean record (800m freestyle, 7:46.03) and the Asian record (men’s freestyle relay, 7:01.73).
He was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Hangzhou Asian Games by the Korean Olympic Committee. The KOC will award Kim 30 million won. Enjoying the afterglow of the Hangzhou Asian Games, Kim said, “It feels good to finish the Asian Games well. I feel proud to be a member of the Korean national swimming team.” “I will save the prize money for now. I will buy food for my colleagues.” Having established himself as the Asian champion in the middle and long distance men’s freestyle in swimming management in 2023, Kim Woo-min hopes to accelerate his pace towards the ‘world’s top’ next year.
“The 2024 national team selection will be held on November 23,” he said after the ceremony. I want to finish the trials well and show a good performance at the World Championships in Doha next February, and then use Doha as a springboard to show ‘definite improvement’ at the Paris Olympics in July. “In the 400-meter freestyle, Kim has already finished sixth at the Budapest 2022 World Championships and fifth at the Fukuoka 2023 World Championships. The only Asian to reach the men’s 400-meter freestyle final at the World Championships last year and this year, Kim won the event at the Hangzhou Asian Games, cementing his status as Asia’s strongest swimmer. But Kim isn’t satisfied with being Asia’s fastest.
“My score at the Hangzhou Asian Games was 95,” he said, explaining the five-point deduction, “I didn’t beat my best time (3:43.92) in the 400-meter freestyle.” Kim’s winning time at the Hangzhou Asian Games was 3:44.36.”It’s my style to set high goals and try to achieve them,” Kim said, adding, “I’ve reached two consecutive finals at the World Championships, so I hope to be on the podium in Doha next February. It’s a challenge worth taking on. “Lukas Martens (GER) finished third in the men’s 400m freestyle at the Fukuoka World Championships in 3:42.20 .Kim’s goal for the 400-meter freestyle in 2024 is to break 3:42.”If I get a time I like at the Doha World Championships, I can prepare for the Paris Olympics in a better mood,” Kim said. “I want to do better at the Paris Olympics. My specific goals are to get into the 3:42s in Doha and to do better in Paris.”
Kim Woo-min, the Korean record holder in the 800-meter freestyle, said, “There is still a gap between me and the best swimmers in the world in the 800 meters. However, my time is getting better and better, so I have a great desire to reach the final stage at the World Championships or the Olympics in the 800-meter freestyle,” said Kim. Korean Swimming will look to Hwang Sun-woo (20-Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province) for a medal in Paris in the 200-meter freestyle .Kim Woo-min will be aiming to win a medal alongside Hwang in Paris. The pair recently shared MVP honors in the men’s 800-meter freestyle relay, where they won the Asian Games title and broke the Asian record. Kim was named MVP of the Korean team at the Hangzhou Asian Games, while Hwang was named MVP of the National Championships.
“Congratulations to Sunwoo for winning his third consecutive National Championship MVP award,” said Kim. I’m proud that Sun-woo, an athlete in the same sport and on the same team, has been recognized more than other athletes.” “The MVP of the Asian Games was awarded to me. I think Sun-woo and I have good motivation. I hope to create a ‘glorious 슬롯게이밍 moment for Korean swimming’ with Sunwoo at the World Championships and Olympics.”