South Korea at the 2002 Asian Games

South Korea at the
2002 Asian Games
IOC codeKOR
NOCKorean Olympic Committee
in Busan
Competitors769 in 36 sports
Flag bearerHwangbo Sung-il
Officials238
Medals
Ranked 2nd
Gold
96
Silver
80
Bronze
84
Total
260
Asian Games appearances (overview)

South Korea (officially the Republic of Korea) was the host nation of the 2002 Asian Games held in Busan from September 29 to October 14, 2002. South Korea was represented by the Korean Olympic Committee, and the South Korean delegation was the largest in this edition of the Asian Games. The delegation of 1,008 people included 770 competitors – 460 men, 310 women – and 238 officials (217 men and 21 women). North Korea competed for the first time in an international sporting event hosted by South Korea. Both nations marched together at the opening ceremony with a Korean Unification Flag depicting the Korean Peninsula as United Korea.

Competitors from the South Korea led the bronze medal count with 84 in the general medal table. South Korea also won 96 gold medals, 80 silver medals and a total of 260 medals, finishing second on the medal table.[1]

Background

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South Korea hosted the Asian Games for the second time after the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul. 2002 Asian Games (officially known as the 14th Asian Games) came out to be politically successful for the host nation as this was the first time in the history that North Korea competed in an international sporting event hosted by their southern neighbor.[2]

National Olympic Committee of South Korea, Korean Olympic Committee, selected a delegation consisted of 770 athletes (460 men and 310 women) and 238 officials (217 men and 21 women).[3] This was the largest delegation of any nation in the Games, comparing with the second largest delegation of Japan which included 659 athletes and 329 officials.[3]

Medal summary

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Korean contingents earned total 260 medals in 38 sports and disciplines. In the national sport Taekwondo, Korean athletes won most medals (twelve gold, three silver and a bronze).[4]

Medals by discipline

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SportGoldSilverBronzeTotal
 Taekwondo123116
 Soft tennis73212
 Shooting6121129
 Fencing66315
 Wrestling66012
 Sailing62210
 Cycling52613
 Judo45514
 Badminton4239
 Modern pentathlon4116
 Boxing32510
 Gymnastics3249
 Bowling3227
 Athletics3216
 Bodybuilding3025
 Equestrian2406
 Table tennis2338
 Archery2125
 Handball2002
 Rugby union2002
 Tennis1337
 Swimming12811
 Golf1225
 Cue sports1214
 Weightlifting1146
 Basketball1102
 Hockey1102
 Volleyball1102
 Wushu1102
 Sepaktakraw1034
 Baseball1001
 Canoeing0527
 Diving0213
 Synchronized swimming0112
 Rowing0033
 Football0011
 Karate0011
 Squash0011
Totals (38 entries)968084260

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Overall medal standings – Busan 2002". ocasia.org. Olympic Council of Asia. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  2. ^ "The Koreas united, for a day". The Economist. Westminster. October 3, 2002. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Participation General – Each National & Regional". busanasiangames.org. Busan Asian Games Organizing Committee. Archived from the original on June 23, 2003. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  4. ^ "Medal Standing (view by sport) – Korea". busanasiangames.org. Busan Asian Games Organizing Committee. Archived from the original on June 23, 2003. Retrieved January 30, 2012.