Ahn Se-hyun returns to the Asian Games after 8 years... After winning two bronze medals, I head to the LA Olympics with ‘anger’

The eldest Korean female swimmer, Ahn Se-hyeon (31, Jeju City Hall), who returned to the Asian Games stage after eight years after overcoming a long slump and wandering, finished the competition with tears and smiles.

Before participating in the competition, he pledged, "If I can swim to my satisfaction, I will gain the courage to challenge myself at next year's Olympics." In fact, he not only had courage, but also 'anger' in his heart that would burn him toward the next stage.

Se-Hyun Ahn completed the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in the women's 400m medley relay held at the Tokyo Aquatics Center in Japan on the 25th.

In this competition, she won two medals, including a bronze medal in the women's 400m medley relay and a bronze medal in the 400m mixed medley relay, proving her skills without rust.

Ahn Se-hyun, who shed a lot of tears with her juniors after winning the bronze medal in the women's 400m medley relay that day, met with reporters and confessed, "I gained courage through this competition, but I also gained a little anger."

He said, "I am disappointed that I did not reach my goal of 25 seconds in the 50m butterfly," and added, "I have a desire to break into the 25 seconds. I will fight until the end until the National Sports Festival in two weeks and the national team selection event next year."

A strong desire to win began to burn again in the heart of a veteran who was once afraid of water and even contemplated retirement and a second life.

His eyes now turn to the 2028 Los Angeles (LA) Olympics.

Reuniting with old rivals with whom she had endured for a long time on Asia's top stage was also a great comfort and strength to Ahn Se-hyun.

Ahn Se-hyun and Zhang Yufei of China, who won four gold medals in this competition, exchanged competition mascot dolls on the podium.

He said with a smile, "I have been competing with Zhang Yufei in international competitions together since 2017 and have watched him for a long time. As time has passed, we have become more comfortable with each other, and we have become good friends who ask me how I am without hesitation. Thanks to this, I also received a yellow (gold medal) doll that Zhang Yufei won a lot as a gift."

Japan's Rikako Ikee, who overcame leukemia and made a living, also took a photo together in the calling room before the game and expressed her special friendship by saying, "I will bring a gift to the room after the game."

Michael Ball, a world-renowned coach who coached Ahn during training in Australia and is now the coach of the Chinese national team, met Ahn at the stadium and gave her a warm hug, saying, "I am so happy to see you swimming in good form again with my own eyes."

Outside of the water, Ahn Se-hyun was a dependable ‘big sister born in 1995’ who looked after her juniors.

When the story of the younger members of the national team showing their full respect and affection for him came out, Ahn Se-hyun's eyes blushed again.

Ahn Se-hyun said, "Actually, the only thing I did as an older sister was ask 'Did you sleep well?', 'Did you eat well?', and 'Are you sick?'" and "Rather, after going through a long hiatus, I relied more on my younger siblings. I am just grateful to my friends who believed in me and followed me despite my shortcomings."

He added, "My juniors are doing such a great job right now. I want to be a good guide behind them so they can move forward by setting goals without giving up on their dreams."

Ahn Se-hyun, who proved his worth on the stage of the Asian Games on his return after eight years, ended the interview with a warm message to himself.

“Even though I didn’t achieve the results I wanted as much as I did, I don’t want to give up or become complacent, and I want to push myself to have a brighter future. I will run without stopping until the LA Olympics with my trustworthy younger siblings.”