'The female backstroke ace of fighting spirit' Lee Eun-ji (Sejong University) did it.
In 2025, he won his first medal in Korean swimming with a Korean record at the 32nd Rhine-Ruhr Summer World University Games (hereinafter referred to as the Summer U Games). Lee Eun-ji proudly ranked third among the eight finalists with a time of 2:08:29 in the women's 200m backstroke final at the Line-Rur Summer U competition on the 19th (Korea time). In October last year, he cut his new Korean record of 2:08:81 in five years and five months at the 105th National Sports Festival by 0.52 seconds in nine months. U.S. Leah Shakley won 2:05:99 (a new competition record), Kennedy Noble won gold and silver medals with 2:07:82, and South Korean ace Lee Eun-ji won a brilliant bronze medal.
In March, Lee Eun-ji, who passed the standard record with 2:10:32 and No. 1 in the 2025 national management competition, and qualified for the Singapore World Swimming Championships in both the 100 and 200m backstroke, but Lee Eun-ji, who became a freshman this year in Sejong University's Department of Physical Education, chose the 'University Students' Sports Festival' U competition rather than the World Championship herself. "I have already experienced two world championships (2022, 2023) and I want to enjoy new challenges and make memories at a competition that can only be participated in as a college student." conveyed a strong will.
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| Lee Eun-ji, who is about to leave for the U competition, is shouting fighting with her teacher coach Kwon Yong-joo, who has been accompanying her since she was in the second grade of elementary school. |
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Above all, Sejong University, which has strict academic management, also considered that it will be affected by overseas training or academic management in the city of Ipchon during the semester. Lee Eun-ji, who has been known as a 'Smart Soon' player since she was young, studied and exercised as a student player, and actively participated in classes, presentations, and assignments, receiving more than 3.5 credits. Before and after class, he steadily prepared for the U competition by cutting through the current at the club of coach Eunsa Kwon Yong-joo, who has been together since the second grade of elementary school. Through rigorous weight training and careful diet management, body fat percentage was reduced to 18%, and muscle mass was increased to 26kg. Records have proven that she, who also easily ate two chickens, changed her body and struggled as she strongly implemented a salad and meat-oriented two meals a day. On the 16th of last month, he broke the one-minute wall, one of his goals, in the 400m medley relay of the Gwangju National Swimming Championships, and broke his Korean record set as a middle school student four years ago, marking a clear presence on the world stage. "I want to know the name of Sejong University."The world's strongest' American aces, setting a new Korean record from the first and last U tournament in his career with his candidacy.
Lee Eun-ji said, `I'm very happy to win the bronze medal with the new Korean record.' `I reaffirmed my potential through competition with the top players in the world. I will prepare more firmly and move toward a higher goal in the future" shared his thoughts on the bronze medal. Along with breaking the Korean record, a reward of 1 million won from the Korean Swimming Federation was also awarded.
On the 20th, Lee Eun-ji succeeded in the women's 100m backstroke semi-final with a time of 1 minute 00 seconds 73 and fourth place overall. Lia Shakley of the U.S. ranked first to third with a time of 58.97 seconds, Kennedy Noble with a time of 59.19 seconds, and Camilla Rodriguez Revelo with a time of 1:00:72. Lee Eun-ji of the advance will try to win a medal once again in the final round on the 21st. If he breaks his own Korean record, a one-minute mark, he can win multiple medals.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
