Kim Woo-Min Drops Asian Games 400m After Shoulder Injury
South Korea's swimmer withdraws from the 400m freestyle after relay pain worsens his left shoulder injury.
Key points
- Kim Woo-min withdrew from the Asian Games after his left shoulder pain worsened during the relay.
- South Korea qualified for the relay final with a time of 3:19.55 despite Kim's slowest split.
- The Korea Swimming Federation confirmed he will not enter the 400m freestyle race on Friday.
Kim Woo-min stepped away from the water at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on Thursday. He withdrew from the remaining Asian Games events after his left shoulder pain intensified during the relay heats. The Korea Swimming Federation confirmed he will not race the 400m freestyle on Friday.
The swimmer forced his way into the men's 4x100-meter freestyle relay despite a known injury. Two days earlier, he had disclosed a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff. His participation in the heat led directly to his decision to stop competing in Tokyo.
Pain Surges During Relay Lead
Kim led off the relay team and posted a 50.01-second split. That was the slowest time on the squad. The team still qualified for the final with a total time of 3:19.55, but the physical toll on Kim was immediate.
He described the sensation of his arm resisting the stroke. "I couldn't get as much behind my strokes as I wanted to," he said. The discomfort started during warm-ups and grew louder as the race progressed, overriding his initial feeling of being okay.
Coaches Warn Against Further Strain
His coaching staff advised him to sit out the rest of the competition. They pointed to the 2028 Olympics as the priority and warned against worsening the damage. Kim acknowledged their concern but chose to race because he refused to watch his teammates compete from the sidelines.
The injury causes stiffness at night and sharp pain when lifting the arm. Kim noted that the condition is not something that fixes itself instantly. He admitted to having second thoughts about his main event after the relay experience highlighted the fragility of his shoulder.
Final Withdrawal Announced Minutes Later
Minutes after his media availability, the Korea Swimming Federation announced his withdrawal. They thanked him for his dedication and wished him a complete recovery. Kim will be replaced in the evening relay final, leaving his teammates to carry the baton.
He expressed full confidence in their performance despite his absence. "I hope they put on an incredible show," he said. The swimmer, a 2024 world champion and Olympic bronze medalist, leaves Tokyo with a focus on healing rather than medals.
