A Golden Opportunity: An Insight Into A Local Medal Hero
Interview translated by Jeong Jayeon
It’s as if the events in Yang Hak Seon’s life were ripped straight from ascript of a block-buster movie. However, the journey that led to Yang’s gold medal victory in the 2012 London Olympics is no work of fiction. It is a story of a man who, with the help of family and friends, leapt from obscurity to become an athletic hero.
Yang Hak Seon won a gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics in vaulting. This makes him the first Korean ever to win gold in this event. Like most Olympic athletes, Yang started training for the event at a young age. He was introduced to gymnastics when he was a second grader at Gwangcheon Elementary, and he continued his training at Gwangju Physical Education Middle and High School. Along with the intense physical training required in gymnastics, Yang had to also endure an impoverished lifestyle due to unfortunate circumstances that left both his parents injured.
Growing up, Yang and his four-member family lived in Gwangju’s shanty town and later North Jeolla Province where they made a makeshift residence out of a green house. Yang selflessly supported his family by sending them the modest stipend he received from the Korea Gymnastic Association while he was training.
With all that he’s been through and accomplished, it begs the question “What makes a guy like this tick?” Gwangju News was fortunate enough to interview Yang and find out the answer to this question and more.
Gwangju News: How much did your family play a role in your success?
Yang: When I was a middle school student, I was lost for a while, but I was able to recover my self-confidence and self-trust thanks to my family who were patient and supported me. I believe my career has been successful because of the obstacles I have overcome.
GN: When you struggle with gymnastics and want to quit, what keeps you going?
Yang: Of course, the greatest strength has been the support of the people I’m close to which include my parents and gymnastics director. I’ve made goals for myself and always keep them in mind, so I think I can pursue my dreams without falling behind.
GN: Do you enjoy gymnastics?
Yang: Um… it’s not easy to do gymnastics as it’s quite a difficult sport, but I always try to enjoy it.
GN: What is your fondest memory of your gymnastic career?
Yang: Needless to say, it was the moment that I won a gold medal at this Olympics. And the time when I trained hard with my friends makes me smile now. At that time, I couldn’t even go home because of all the training. I didn’t know that they would become the sweet memories that they are now.
GN: Did your family expect you to be this successful at gymnastics?
Yang: Well… I guess that they didn’t expect it, maybe? Ha ha. However, before I went to the London Olympics, my mother had a dream where I put a gold medal into my pocket.
GN: How has your family been since you won the gold medal at the Olympics?
Yang: My parents live in Gochang in North Jeolla Province, and they are busier than me as neighbors have offered congratulations and a lot of interview requests have been made to them. I heard that a lot of people visit my parents’ home.
GN: Since your success at the Olympics, what would you like to do now that you couldn’t do before?
Yang: First, I’d like to have some free time to rest and relax by going on a trip and seeing my friends. I stayed at the athletes’ village and prepared for the London Olympics by focusing only on training. Now I would like to live in comfort while enjoying my surroundings.
GN: How have you been welcomed in Gwangju since the Olympics?
Yang: Unexpectedly, there was a welcome party for me and a gold medal reward was given to me. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Gwangju.
GN: Now that you’ve won a gold medal, what is your next goal?
Yang: My next goal is to win another gold medal at the next Olympics by developing Yang 2 (Yang Hak-seon’s own Gymnastics Skill 2) which involves strict self-discipline and training.
GN: Do you have any plans to help the less fortunate in Korea?
Yang: Of course, I have. In the future, I’d like to help those who are pursuing the path to becoming an athlete despite being in difficult circumstances like me.
For someone who makes a living by perfecting aerial routines, Yang seems very down to earth. This could be the result of his humble beginnings and the strong support of his family. Yang’s goal-oriented mindset coupled with his good nature is nothing short of inspiring