Posted April. 26, 2006 03:17,
High jumper Lee Jin-taek (34, Daegu City Hall, photo) came out of his retirement after three years and has loved every minute of it; even more so after clearing a 2.15-meter jump yesterday in mens general division finals at the 35th National Track and Field Championships held at Gwangju World Cup Stadium.
Earlier this year, the national track and field team coach decided to put his jumping shoes back on after learning that Korea Athletics Federation did not pick any high jumpers to compete in international sports events. Lee holds the national record of 2.34 meters, and wants to teach a thing or two to his juniors who are not even coming close to 2.20 meters.
Clearing a 2.20-meter bar takes focus and hard work. I am seeing neither from my juniors. Im not sure if they will accept me as a national team member in the Asian Games, but Ill give it my best, said Lee.
With two consecutive Asian Games wins under his belt, one in 1998 Bangkok and the other in 2002 Busan, Lee is determined to add another win in the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Doha, Qatar in December. Korea has swept the mens high jump event five times in a row since the 1986 Asian Games, thanks to Lees strong run.
But Lee now faces the urgent task of bringing back his old self. Lee says finding his stamina has been especially difficult. Lee projects that he could maybe clear 2.25 meters if he tries hard enough. The recent upper crust of Asian high jumpers has cleared around 2.25 meters to 2.27 meters. Lee is sure to be in the medal range if he recovers his condition of three years ago.
Lee is a doctoral candidate in the field of athletic dynamics at Korea National Sport University. I wish to enjoy the games, first of all. But if all things go well, adding another Asian Games win is definitely a plan for me, said Lee.
There were times in his career when Lee was called timid. The three years spent in retirement seems to have instilled in him a veterans confidence.