TOKYO — South Korean swimming star Kim Woo-min has withdrawn from the remainder of the 2026 Asian Games swimming competition after his injured left shoulder worsened following Thursday’s men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay heats.
Kim entered the relay despite already dealing with a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff in his left shoulder. He led off South Korea’s heat and posted a 50.01-second split, but later said the pain was worse than he had expected.
South Korea still advanced to the relay final with a combined time of 3:19.55, while Kim was replaced for the evening final as he stepped away from the rest of the competition.
The decision marks a difficult end to Kim’s campaign in Tokyo after he initially tried to continue competing despite his injury.
Injury Forces Kim to Stop
Kim had already withdrawn from the men’s 200-meter freestyle and the 800-meter freestyle, after finishing last in the 1,500-meter freestyle earlier in the week.
His 1,500-meter performance came after he revealed that he had been competing with a partially torn labrum and rotator cuff in his left shoulder. SBS also reported that his condition included a partial tear involving the supraspinatus, a SLAP lesion and impingement syndrome.
Kim had previously helped South Korea win bronze in the men’s 4×200-meter freestyle relay before competing in the 1,500-meter final.
After the relay heat Thursday, Kim acknowledged that his shoulder was hurting more than anticipated.
He also said his coaching staff had advised him not to continue racing because of concerns about aggravating the injury and the importance of protecting his longer-term career.
A Champion’s Asian Games Campaign Ends Early
Kim arrived at the Games as one of South Korea’s leading middle-distance swimmers.
At the 2023 Asian Games, he became the country’s only swimmer to win three gold medals, taking the men’s 400m freestyle, 800m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle relay titles.
His international résumé also includes a 2024 world championship title and Olympic bronze medal in the 400m freestyle, followed by another world bronze in the event in 2025.
That history made his decision to keep competing particularly significant. Kim had initially hoped to defend his Asian Games titles and compete in his main event, the 400m freestyle.
But after his shoulder failed to improve sufficiently, the Korea Swimming Federation confirmed that he would no longer compete in Tokyo.
The federation said it appreciated Kim’s dedication while emphasizing that his recovery was the priority.
South Korea Moves Forward Without Its Star
Kim’s withdrawal leaves South Korea without one of its most decorated swimmers for the remaining individual events.
Despite the setback, the national team continued in the 4x100m freestyle relay after qualifying for the final without Kim in the lineup. His teammates now face the remainder of the competition while Kim focuses on recovery.
For Kim, the Asian Games campaign ends not because of a lack of ambition, but because the physical condition of his shoulder made continuing too risky.
The immediate focus will now be on his recovery and return to competition rather than another medal run in Tokyo.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
