The Korean Delegation participating the 14th Asian Games in Busan had an Inaugural Rally at the Sejong Cultural Center Grand Hall on the 16th and took a strong step toward the second place.

The President of the Korean Athletic Association and the Korean Olympic Committee Lee, Yeon-Taek gave the team banner to the Head of the delegation Yoo, Hong-Jong and followed by a Victory Drumming Ceremony to wish good plays of the players and the chorus ‘Victory Koreans’ by the Yonsei University Chorus.

The president Lee said during his address, “Please show your strong will power and excellent plays,” and the Head Yoo answered, “We return the support of the people by good results.”

Korea is sending a delegation of 1008 (238 coaches and officials, 770 athletes) to this games, which will be held from September 29 to October 14 with the most 44 countries, in 37 events out of 38 events except Kabaddi, and aiming to the second place in 2 consecutive times since the Bangkok Games.

Korea is planning to win 83 total gold medals including 12 gold medals out of 16 in Taekwondo, which is a medal farm, and from wrestling (6), Judo, Yacht (5 each), Shooting, Fencing, Bowling, Soft Ball Tennis, Cycle (4 each), Archery (3), and Table Tennis (2).

This is the second best record by the Korean Delegation since the Seoul Games (93) in 1986 when Korea chased China by one gold medal. China seems to be sure to win the first place with around 150 gold medals, and Japan seems to have around 70 gold medals, so to win the second place seems not so difficult.

Chang Sung-Ho (Judo) was selected as the flag bearer at the Welcoming Ceremony at Busan, and Moon Kyung-Eun (basketball) and Kim, Nam-Soon (volleyball) were selected as team captains. The flag bearer at the concurrent entry of South and North Korea during the Opening Ceremony will be selected by the agreement of both sides.

Hwan-Soo Zang zangpabo@donga.com