Sohn Ji-in won't let anything stand between her and the Asiad podium

Even a bone fracture is not enough to stop rhythmic gymnast Sohn Ji-in from reaching this year's Asian Games, with the 16-year-old determined to continue training despite sustaining an injury late last year.

Sohn Ji-in trains at a gymnasium in Yongin, Gyeonggi on June 11. [JOONGANG ILBO]

Even a bone fracture is not enough to stop rhythmic gymnast Sohn Ji-in from reaching this year's Asian Games, with the 16-year-old determined to continue training despite sustaining an injury late last year.

“There is an electronic board that shows a countdown to the opening day of the Asian Games at Jincheon National Training Center,” Sohn said during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo at a gymnasium in Yongin, Gyeonggi on June 11. “I feel like it is getting close as it will open in about 100 days. I am preparing hard for it, as it is the second biggest tournament after the Olympics.”

Sohn is desperate to medal at the Asiad.

Sohn, 16, started her gymnastics career at age six and has continued to prove her potential in the sport both on the domestic and international stage.

In her first year competing internationally in junior events, Sohn won gold at the Korean national competition Cup of President, before winning a bronze medal at the FIG Gracia Fair Cup in Hungary in 2021.

Sohn did not stop there and trained over 10 hours every day in order to earn a spot on the national team squad for the Asian Games.

Her efforts paid off in March last year, as she finished the selection contest in second place.

Son Ji-in trains at a gymnasium in Yongin, Gyeonggi on June 11. [JOONGANG ILBO]

“I had pain a week before the selection contest, but I tolerated it because it is the selection contest,” Sohn said. “I performed for one minute and half after standing still while holding my stomach to avoid vibration.

“The next day I went to hospital and my rib was not cracked but broken. I feel like I do have a tough character.”

Sohn did even better at the selection contest in April, finishing first. The contest took place again after the Asian Games was postponed for one year due to the Covid-19 pandemic in China.

That remarkable performance came despite Sohn suffering with bunions caused by her vigorous routine, making it uncomfortable to wear shoes.

Sohn’s foremost objective is to medal at the Asian Games against strong competitors from countries like China and Kazakhstan that have dominated rhythmic gymnastics in the Asiad.

If Sohn wins a medal, she will follow in the footsteps of former rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae, who retired with three Asiad medals as well as numerous medals from nearly all international events, apart from the Olympics.

Son first came to prominence after winning a bronze at the 2010 Asian Games and retired in 2017 after managing fourth place in the 2016 Olympics — her best finish in the tournament.

Son was well-known for her strength, while Sohn is better known for her technical skills, including a move in which a gymnast leans her upper body and spins multiple times in a row.

Sohn does not want to stop there, however, and wants to add more moves on top of the ones she already knows.

“I want to learn fouette turn from Son, who managed fourth place in the Olympics,” Sohn said. “Those around me tell me that I look like her, and I want to be as good as her and also surpass her.”

Son saw Sohn’s performance in person at a gala show at the Leap Challenge Cup last year that Son held in order to find rhythmic gymnast talents.

Son Yeon-jae, center, poses for a photo with junior rhythmic gymnasts during the Leap Challenge Cup at Namdong Gymnasium in Incheon on Dec. 18, 2022. [NEXT YOUPHORIA]

“The kids there told me that they had never seen someone better than me [before Sohn],” Son said, praising Sohn’s talent during an interview with the JoongAng Ilbo in January.

The upcoming Asiad will be a chance for Sohn to rise to prominence like Son did.

The Asian Games will start in Hangzhou, China on Sept. 23.

BY PARK RIN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]