GWANGJU – Soldiers are here to serve, protect and support their motherland. Therefore it was no surprise when the soldiers of the Korean Armed Forces came to support their country in the finals of Artistic Gymnastics held in the Kwangju Women’s University Universiade Gymnasium. “We came here to support our two women gymnasts in the balance beam, Park Ji Soo and Eum Da Yeon,” revealed one of the soldiers, Kwon Seok Jin as he was waiting on the bleachers together with his colleagues for the finals to start. “Personally, I am really happy that my country hosts the 28th Summer Universiade. It makes me even more proud of my country.”
Kwon Seok Jin hopes to see some other sports too: “I am a big fan of football. My favourite football team is Chelsea, I try to watch every match.”
It was the soldier’s uniform that gave them the serious and stern look, but once the competition began, they started to cheer, wave with their inflatable sticks enjoying the event like all the other fans.
Lucie Hrdličková (CZE), FISU Young Reporter