Shim Jong-seop (30, KEPCO) dramatically acquired the right to participate in the Tokyo Olympics.
On the 4th, at the’Tokyo Olympic Marathon National Contest’ held in Yecheon-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do on the 4th, Shim Jong-seop finished a 42.195km race in 2 hours 11 minutes 24 seconds, passing the Tokyo Olympics standard record (2 hours 11 minutes 30 seconds) and won the championship.
2 hours, 11 minutes and 24 seconds is a record that advances Shim Jong-seop’s previous personal record of 2 hours, 12 minutes and 57 seconds by 1 minute and 33 seconds.
In a call with Yonhap News immediately after the game, Shim Jong-seop said, “I am very happy.
During training, I also ran at a pace of 2 hours and 9 minutes and 10 minutes,” he said. “I will prepare harder for 4 months and produce good results on the main stage of the Tokyo Olympics.”
KEPCO coach Kim Jae-ryong said, “I was nervous until the end,” laughed and said, “Shim Jong-seop trained more than ever.
“It’s really fortunate to have a hard-earned opportunity.”
As Shim Jong-seop passed the standard record, the number of Korean men’s marathoners who can participate in the Tokyo Olympics, which opens in July, has increased to two.
Naturalized player Oh Joo-han (33, Cheongyang County Office) already passed the standard record at 2 hours, 08 minutes and 42 seconds in October 2019.
Shim Jong-seop’s passing of the Olympic standards record was very dramatic.
The World Association of Athletics Federations has set a deadline for admitting the passing of the Olympic standard records for the marathon on May 31, 2021.
Due to the nature of a marathon that has to go through a long recovery period when completing a full course, the opportunity to challenge the Olympic standards will virtually disappear after this event.
47 male players participated in this tournament and challenged the’last chance’.
Shim Jong-seop was selected as’the most influential player who passed the Olympic standards record’.
In fact, Shim Jong-seop sprinted and passed the Olympic standard record.
Shim Jong-seop, who also participated in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, enjoyed the honor of winning two consecutive Olympics.
“Since I got a second chance, I have to produce better results,” said Shim Jong-seop, saying, “I will do my best.”
/yunhap news
Ⓒ Hankyung.com prohibits unauthorized reproduction and redistribution