Son Yeon-jae joins rhythmic gymnastics national team

South Korean rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae (Yonsei University, pictured) withdrew from the national team tryouts, but she will join the national team thanks to the recommendation of the Korea Gymnastic Association.

Ankle injury forced the 21-year-old rhythmic gymnast to pull out the second round of the 2015 rhythmic gymnast national tryouts on Sunday. Son, who was leading the first round of national team tryouts on Friday, submitted a medical report on her ankle injury to the domestic gymnastic association, which requires three weeks of treatment. “Son was pulled out from the tryouts as a part of efforts to protect athletes,” said Kim Soo-hee, the chairwoman of the High Performance Committee. Son has been under medical treatment after she got an injury on her left ankle in the International Gymnastics Federation World Cup event in Bucharest, Romania, earlier this month.

The Korea Gymnastic Association picked Son for the national team in accordance with the rule that "when an athlete who is a medal contender in a specific event is not selected for the national team due to injuries or other reasons, the athlete can join the national team with recommendation of the association." Cheon Song-e (aged 18, Sejong High School), Lee Da-ae, (21, Sejong University) and Lee Na-kyeong (17, Sejong High school) were also named for the national team. Son plans to compete in the world cup held in Uzbekistan on May 22.

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