‘World’s 3rd place in high jump under 20 years old’ Choi Jin-woo “Enjoying it like senior Woo Sang-hyuk”

While ‘Smile Jumper’ Woo Sang-hyeok (27, Yongin City Hall) leaped to become the world’s top jumper, ‘Wolkle Frog’ Choi Jin-woo (18, Ulsan Sports Science High School) is also one of the best players on the world junior stage. has established itself

Choi Jin-woo, who watched Woo Sang-hyeok’s effort to maintain his best skills outside the lights and the scene where his efforts bore fruit and was splendidly spotlighted, said, “I know that I can stand in a position like senior Woo Sang-hyeok only if I enjoy the hard training and work harder.” chopped up

Choi Jin-woo “intuitively” watched Woo Sang-hyuk exceed 2m32 in the stands at Yecheon Stadium on the 9th.

Woo Sang-hyeok virtually secured the right to participate in the Asian Games with only two jumps (2m16, 2m32) in the men’s college and general division high jump finals at the KBS Cup National Athletics Championships, which also served as the representative selection match for the Hangzhou Asian Games, and exceeded the standard record for the Budapest World Championships.

On the 6th, three days ago, Choi Jin-woo surpassed 2m14 in the high jump and took first place.

The second place in the men’s college and general division was 2m10.

Choi Jin-woo recorded the second highest record after Woo Sang-hyeok among the players who participated in the KBS Cup.

In fact, 2m14 is a record that leaves Choi Jin-woo regretful.

Choi Jin-woo’s personal best is 2m23.

Choi Jin-woo, who ran 2m23 last year, ranked third in the ‘Under 20 Rankings’ compiled by the World Association of Athletics Federations in 2022 and first in the ‘Under 18 Years Old’.

Even at the first international competition in his life, Choi Jin-woo was not intimidated.

Choi Jin-woo won the Asian Youth Athletics Championships (under 18 years old) held in Kuwait last October with a new record of 2m21.

Choi Jin-woo recalled, “I felt good just by participating in an international competition for the first time in my life, but I was even more happy to win the competition by setting a new record.”

Choi Jin-woo, who confirmed his international competitiveness on the junior stage last year, trained with Woo Sang-hyeok in Jeju Island for three weeks this year and watched the training method of the ‘world’s best jumper’ right next to him.

Choi Jin-woo said, “The time I trained with senior Woo Sang-hyuk was like a dream. Just watching was a big help, so I trained right next to him and listened to senior Woo Sang-hyuk’s advice.”

Woo Sang-hyuk also spread his unique positive energy to Choi Jin-woo.

Choi Jin-woo said, “Senior Woo Sang-hyuk advised me, ‘If you really like high jump, you can enjoy hard training.’ .

Choi Jin-woo enjoys the high bar in front of him and intends to cross it one by one.

Choi Jin-woo, a senior in high school,’s goal for 2023 is to break the Korean high school record (2m25).

Choi Jin-woo said, “Senior Woo Sang-hyeok (who has a personal best of 2m36) is constantly challenging 2m37. I also plan to challenge 2m26 as often as possible this year.”

After graduation, his goals become higher.

Choi Jin-woo said, “I want to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics with senior Woo Sang-hyuk.”

The standard record for men’s high jump at the Paris Olympics is 2m33. Between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024, the record recognition period, you must exceed 2m33 or frequently participate in major competitions to accumulate ranking points to participate in the Paris Olympics.

Choi Jin-woo said, “2m33 is a height that even world-class athletes feel burdened by. It is an impossible challenge for me now,” he said.

There are also short-term goals.

Choi Jin-woo will compete at the Asian Under-20 Athletics Championships, which will open in Yecheon on June 4.안전놀이터

Choi Jin-woo, who won last year’s Asian Youth Championships under the age of 18 with overwhelming skills, is considered the strongest candidate for the championship this time.

The record for the men’s high jump event at the Asian Championships under the age of 20 is 2m31, set in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2010 by Mutaz Esa Barshim (Qatar), the best active jumper and rival of Woo Sang-hyeok.

Choi Jin-woo said, “I am currently training a new joju (running process before leaping). I am also getting used to what I learned while training with senior Woo Sang-hyeok.” I want to show it to you. My goal is to win a gold medal again this time.”