Currently at 70 Percent, Will Crank it up to 30 Percent Next Month

Park Tae-hwan (18, Gyunggi High School) has returned to Korea.

Sydney, Australia (Nov. 2-3), Stockholm, Sweden (Nov. 13-15), and Berlin, Germany (Nov. 17-19). Everywhere he went, he was victorious. In all three venues, he won the gold for all three events he competed in, including the 200m, 400m, and 1500m freestyle. The golden boy of Korean swimming returned home on November 20.

He seemed his usual cheery self, but his level of fatigue was obvious. Due to his hectic schedule, he has shed 5kg off his usual 73kg.

Park said, “It was a little disappointing that some of my better competitors couldn’t make it to the competition, but it was worthwhile as I got to break my old records. This World Cup experience is sure to be a valuable one, which will help me achieve my goal of winning more medals in the Beijing Olympics next year.” Park set new personal bests in the 200m freestyle short course (1min 42.22sec) and in the 200 m freestyle (3min 36.68sec).

He added, “Before I left Korea, my energy level was at about 50 percent, but now I feel I’ve warmed up and have pulled it up to about 70 percent. In my training scheduled for next month in Australia, I will reach 100 percent. If I can make it through the 1500m in 14m 40secs, that is proof that I’ve reached my peak. From then on I will condition my self to maintain this optimum level until the Beijing Olympics and win a gold medal.” Park also said “I’ve gained so much more confidence than before, and I will continue to work hard to break my old record as soon as possible.”

Park is currently looking for a foreign coach who will provide him with consistent “one point lessons” during his training in Australia. Park’s sponsor Speedo is currently trying to decide between five top Australian coaches.

The overall training regime is orchestrated by former national team coach Park Seok-ki, but Park Tae-hwan will be receiving additional technical instructions from foreign coaches. Before the Melbourne World Swimming Championships in March this year, Park received private coaching for a month from an Australian coach.

yjongk@donga.com