22 January 2024
“I want to enjoy it by feeling all the emotions” The ups and downs of being the host team
Since the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, Korea has gone from being a continental challenger to a serious contender for medals at world events.
The emergence of the “Garlic Girls” – Kim Eunjung’s rink nicknamed after their garlic-producing hometown of Uiseong – was the catalyst for change, having won a silver medal at the Games.
Then, the rise of Kim Minji at the World Junior Curling Championships 2020 consolidated that expectation at youth level too. She is already a world medallist and Pan Continental champion at the age of 24, being part of Gim Eunji’s team.
Add the success of 2017 world junior champions led by Lee Ki Jeong in the men’s competition, and Korea are no longer the underdogs seeking upsets, they come into the Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games with a target firmly on their back as hosts.
Kim Daehyun skips the mixed team that will be warmly welcomed by a sea of supporters, joined by Lee Sowon, Kwon Juni and Jang Yubin. While some players admit there are nerves and a sense of disbelief about representing their nation on the biggest stage, they are also looking to feed off the energy of their audience, much like their predecessors have on their way to silverware.
“We get a lot of support from people in Korea and I really appreciate that,” said Juni.
“It gets me nervous sometimes but I would like to enjoy participating in this event.”
Yubin says it is the first time playing in front of this many spectators and hopes they can overcome any pressure; Daehyun sees it as motivation to excel.
“The fact that many people will come and see our performance makes me more powerful and passionate,” the skip said.
“I think my team has a lot of potential inside.
“When our team is one fire, nobody can stop us.
“So many supporters would help us, but this is our first time in the mega event so I am worried that our performance won’t come out as usual.”
Yubin added: “I’ll be nervous sometimes but that’s part of the game and I want to enjoy it by feeling all the emotions.”
But the Games are not just about the on-ice action, it’s about the memories made away from the field of play. Swapping uniform with fellow athletes seems to be high on the list of priorities; while Sowon, Yubin and Daehyun will be expecting to catch some of the short track speed skating in between sessions.
In fact, Sowon, who is also described as a food enthusiast and the singer of the group, looks like they will not be slowing down much during the Games.
“I want to watch short track, ski jumping and luge and I want to make friends of other countries,” she said.
“Once I finish my game, I will watch other curling games and the rest of the time I will go for a nap,” said Juni, conversely.
While Juni is a hard-working future star on the ice, his resemblance to Korean esports player Faker is what he is best known for in the national curling community. All of his teammates mention his likeness to the League of Legends gamer, but the similarities stop there.
“I played League of Legends with him and he had 12 deaths which is shocking,” said Dae-hyun.
“He doesn’t play the game any more.”
Perhaps it is fortunate that he isn’t a future esports star, as Korea would have one less prospect on the ice. And the Winter Youth Olympic Games is all about that development – junior events have helped stars rise to the occasion later in their careers, claiming world medals in the process. A clear indicator of Korean curling developing well can be shown in who the team looks up to – their fellow Koreans.
Juni was inspired, like many curlers of his age, by Kim Eunjung and her 2018 team, but there is also a lot of respect for three-time Pacific Asia champion Kim Chang-min – who held a mentoring session with the rink – and Kim Kyung-ae, part of the Garlic Girls team.
While the hopes of a nation lie on their shoulders, it is important to remember: there is only one opportunity for these athletes at the Youth Olympic Games – and could be the pinnacle of their careers. The clearly cool-headed skip, while the most confident that they can win, sees the Games as having a much larger impact on their lives.
“I would like to make unforgettable memories with my teammates,” said Daehyun.
“Because the Youth Olympics is the only chance in our lifetime and the opportunity came to us.
“That’s why I feel special for my teammates and I am looking forward to sharing things with them.”
Written by Feature Writer, Michael Houston
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