When Your Pool Turns Into a Playground of Punches
Picture this: It’s the Asian Games in Jakarta, the athletes are firing off laps, and suddenly K‑1 meta‑level drama unfolds in the pool deck. A South Korean breaststroke ace, Kim Hye‑jin, at 24, was unintentionally poked in the face by a Chinese swimmer during a drill. What followed was a classic case of “yikes, do you want a footthe phone?” that turned a splash into a rough-surf‑fight.
What Actually Took Place
- The incident happened inside Jakarta’s Aquatic Centre while the swimmers were warming up.
- Kim accidentally sawed the spot‑on face of the unnamed Chinese athlete.
- One moment of awkward “oops,” the next, the Chinese swimmer launched a swift kick right at Kim’s chin.
- Coach and fellow teammates had to intervene to prevent a full‑boom embrace.
Inside the Drama — Quotes That Spin the Tale
According to the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee (KSOC), a spokesperson said: “Two swimmers had a quarrel after they had physical contact.” Kim apologized first, but the Chinese swimmer didn’t seem to catch the meaning behind the words and decided to throw a mechanical kick instead.
Later, the trail of apologies began to surface: Chinese staff issued a quick “sorry” on the scene and another apology at the athletes’ village. A KSOC spokesman tried to downplay it, claiming, “It’s something that happens frequently between swimmers during training and the Chinese player’s coach has apologized.”
Results and Aftermath
Kim had actually just finished fifth in the women’s 100m breaststroke final a few days prior, not a medalist but a solid competitor in Jakarta’s heat. The organisers said they hadn’t been aware of this splashy incident even after the reporters asked. Both the KSOC and the Chinese Olympic Committee were “not immediately available for comment,” leaving the story hanging like a mis‑bound cheerleader rope.
Bottom Line
So, in a nutshell: A friendly swim turned into a not‑so‑friendly clash of athletes. A lesson for all: keep a calm surface in the pool, literally. And always remember: if you can’t hear their apology, ask for a loud one—or a hand‑shake!”
