Read on to learn more about these three rising talents from Korea’s national teams.

Up-and-Coming Table Tennis Champ, Jihee Jeon

Since the Seoul Olympics in 1988, China has dominated table tennis with their successive gold medal wins. However, by challenging China, Korea has been able to grow legendary table tennis champions, including Namkyu Yoo, Junghwa Hyun and Seungmin Ryu.

From the emerging group of players, Jihee Jeon from the POSCO Energy Women’s Table Tennis Team is a standout. As a member of the Korea national team, Jeon displayed her prowess in the sport at this summer’s Olympic games.

Jeon, who was born in 1992, used to be a member of the Chinese national junior team but became a naturalized Korean citizen in 2011. She decided to come to Korea because of her desire to play internationally. She was an outstanding player in China as well, but would have had to compete against 30 million players for a spot on the national team.

After arriving to Korea, she has been leading POSCO Energy Women’s Table Tennis Team onto winning major international games. The games she has participated in include the Spanish Open, Czech Open, Argentina Open, Chile Open in 2015, and the Hungarian Open and German Open in 2016.

By placing first and second in all her games and building up an adequate number of points, she was able to qualify for the Olympics by ranking 11th in the world overall. POSCO Energy supported Jeon for her debut at this summer’s Olympics.

Seulchan Lee, Jeonnam’s “Chan-dragon”

Under the leadership of coach Taeyong Shin, the Korean national football team performed with remarkable results during their matches at the Olympics.

Do you remember the player who assisted Hyunjoon Seok’s goal during the pivotal game against Germany? After the 41st minute in the second half, Seulchan Lee served as the hero of this dramatic play by helping Seok score his goal.

Lee is a 22-year-old player who started his career with Jeonnam Dragons in 2012, which is based in his hometown, Gwangyang. He has a long history with Gwangyang, graduating from the town’s elementary, middle, and high schools – and now, ultimately playing for the Jeonnam Dragons in the K-League.

Although small in stature (he is 172cm and 65kg) with a round and friendly face, his ability should not be overlooked. Because of his strong defensive skills, he played as a fullback in the Olympics this summer.

With great determination and remarkable skill, there is no doubt that this will be the last we will see Lee play at a major international event.

A Skilled Striker, Changjin Moon

Known as “a royal prince of coach Taeyong Shin,” Changjin Moon has been acing the field during the Olympic football trials.

The 24-year-old from Pohang who usually plays for the Pohang Steelers as a main striker, is regarded for his offensive skills and precise goal-shooting. He graduated from Pohang Jecheol middle school and technical high school, and played for the Pohang Youth Club. To maintain his hometown spirit, he now plays for the Steelers.

He showed promise as an attacking midfielder during the Olympics this season, scoring goals in warm-up matches against Denmark and Sweden. We will be sure to keep an eye out for his remarkable football skills in future events.

We were only able to catch a glimpse of these three players’ exceptional skills during the games this summer, but with their natural ability, training and hard work, Jeon, Lee and Moon are not names to be ignored in upcoming seasons. Following high expectations, these stars will only become brighter in the time ahead.

These Boots Are Made for Playing

The Most Important Olympic Metal

Gold, Silver, Bronze and Steel

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Steel Keeps Sailors Edging Forward

Since the dawn of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, sailors have been testing their skills in the Games’ largest playing field. Within the sport of sailing, there are eight different classes of events determined by the shape and size of the yacht.

Each class of yacht has its own rules and regulations that include the types of material that can be used in the construction of the boat. But there is one material that is present in all eight classes – stainless steel.

Most of the yacht classes’ rigging, which includes the masts, yards, sails and cordage, require the same material to be used – stainless steel wire rope. With the force that the sea wind puts on the sails, it is important for the speed of the yacht and for the safety of the sailors that the ropes be as strong as possible, making stainless steel the perfect rigging choice.

The 470 class, a yacht with two crew members measuring 4.7 meters in length, requires that the rudder stock and tiller be made of stainless steel. The rudder stock and tiller are used to steer the yachts aggressively through the course, incurring significant pressure from the weight of the manned craft, the current of the sea and the force of the wind. It is imperative that these components be made of the lightest and strongest material available – stainless steel.

Shoes Built for a Full Gallop

The Olympic sport of equestrian is as unique as it is majestic. Riders and horses perform together in three event categories, and have developed the ability to feel each other’s emotions over countless hours of training.

Equestrian is the only Olympic sport in which men and women compete against each other on a level playing field while competing in three disciplines, eventing, jumping and dressage.

Both the horses and riders are tested for strength, endurance and skill, and like any other athlete, horses require special shoes in order to compete. Equestrian horseshoes must be reliable, safe and durable – making steel the perfect material.

Steel horseshoes act as a traction device for the horses on varying terrain, and allow them to cup more earth while galloping. Horseshoes enable the horses to hold their footing, prevent any slippage and improve their overall performance during competition.

As Olympic equestrian events are incredibly competitive in nature, the horseshoes are typically worn for longer periods of time. Because of the duration that a horse wears the shoes, steel is the preferred choice as it stronger and staves off the possibility of infections occurring.

Steel horseshoes have also been thought of as a symbol of good luck when hung with the ends pointing up. Although Olympic equestrian riders rely on their long-perfected skill and talent to perform, having a little extra help attached to the bottom of their horse’s hooves might prove useful.

A Metal Trusted by Gymnasts

Steel’s strength and versatility make it the top choice for international gymnastics competition equipment. Gymnasts are constantly risking injury by performing exciting aerial stunts on bars, beams and vaults. The equipment they use must be flexible and able to withstand the force that is exerted during each routine and exercise.

The uneven bars is a spectacular event that showcases the athletes’ strength, awareness and skill by swinging and flipping between bars set at different heights. Although the bar itself is made from a flexible composite material, the frame is made from stainless steel.

The spring balance beam’s structure is also made from steel. Not only are the legs and frame made from the ultra-strong metal, so is the spring that launches the athletes in the air as they perform feats of true balance and discipline.

The steel structures in gymnastics allow the gymnasts to put their years of training and practice to use when trying to achieve the ultimate dream – winning a gold medal.

The Most Important Olympic Metal

From magnificent Olympic venues, to sabers, shot puts and yachts, steel is used almost everywhere in the Olympic Games.

There is a reason that steel is the first choice when it comes to construction and equipment – it’s lightweight, corrosion-resistant and strong enough to withstand the abuse given by world-class athletes. With the predominant use of steel in the Games, it can be considered the most important metal in the Olympics. Although it is not necessary fought over like the other top three, it is the catalyst from which dreams and everlasting memories are created.

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