The Asian Games are all set to begin this month, but before the start of the continental multi-sport event, South Korea’s wrestlers have received a highly unusual incentive: win gold and receive a pork gift set every month for two years.
Korea Wrestling Federation president Kim Ik-heon made the announcement at an emotional media event at the Jincheon National Training Center, stating that those who win gold will receive monthly pork hampers until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. For silver and bronze medallists, pork hampers will be provided only for a year.
Ik-heon, who runs a pork-processing company named Sangju Yakgam Pork, will personally fund these hampers. Winners will also receive the federation’s usual medal bonuses.
“People in the sport have only been worried about their vested interests; instructors have been too casual in their response, and athletes have been a mess mentally,” Kim said in an emotional media event.
“We cannot afford to just keep saying we will get back on our feet. We all have to look at ourselves in the mirror.”
An Han-bong, the 1992 Barcelona Olympics champion who now coaches South Korea’s men’s Greco-Roman team, broke down while addressing the wrestlers.
“We have our backs against the wall,” An said. “I hope our athletes will go out and prove that Korean wrestling is not dead.”
Several wrestlers were also moved to tears.
“I think everyone here has the same goal as our coach,” said Chung Han-jae, who won bronze in the 60kg Greco-Roman category at the previous Asian Games and will compete at 67kg in Japan.
“I want to win gold and show how good Korean wrestling is.”
“I want to win gold and celebrate by wrapping my body in this flag,” said Kim Min-seok, a bronze medallist in the men’s 130kg Greco-Roman category at the last Asian Games.
The federation has targeted at least one gold, one silver and six bronze medals at the Asian Games, scheduled from September 19 to October 4.
South Korea managed only two bronze medals in wrestling at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, which was also its worst performance at the event in 57 years. The country also failed to win a wrestling medal at both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics.