Seoul, South Korea – Ryu Hansu, the formidable force behind the resurgence of Korean wrestling, has announced his retirement from the sport. The 36-year-old wrestler, often referred to as the "workhorse" of the sport, revealed that he had been considering retirement for some time and that a recent neck injury had solidified his decision.
Hansu, a world champion and multiple-time Asian Games gold medalist, will now transition into coaching. He will take up a coaching position at Jeonju University, expressing his hope that his students can achieve the Olympic gold medal that has eluded him.
"I'm a little disappointed that I couldn't win an Olympic medal, but I hope my students can fulfill that dream," Hansu said.
Hansu burst onto the international wrestling scene in 2013 when he clinched the world championship title in the Greco-Roman 66kg category. His victory sparked a revival of Korean wrestling, which had been struggling to maintain its competitive edge.
Known for his relentless work ethic and exceptional technical skills, Hansu dominated the sport for several years, capturing multiple gold medals at both the Asian Games and World Championships. His ability to combine power and precision made him a formidable opponent on the mat.
Despite his success, Hansu remains humble and attributes his achievements to hard work and dedication. "I believe that the key to success is to train harder and smarter than everyone else," he said.
As he embarks on a new chapter as a coach, Hansu is determined to revitalize Korean wrestling. He believes that the sport needs to adapt to changing times and incorporate new training methods and strategies.
"Korean wrestling is facing a challenging period," Hansu said. "We need to look beyond our traditional methods and embrace new approaches. It's time for our coaches to broaden their horizons and learn from the best in the world."
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