Choco Pies were a rare treat for rhythmic gymnast Shin Su-ji; 'Now I eat freely and exercise happily'

Former rhythmic gymnast Shin Su-ji, once known as the 'rhythmic gymnastics fairy,' is now actively working as a "sportertainer" and finds happiness in her current fitness regimen. She reflects on her journey, which began in elementary school after being captivated by rhythmic gymnastics.

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I used to chew on Choco Pies, making them into sticky rice cakes, and eat a fingernail-sized piece whenever I was really hungry.

Despite initial opposition from her father, a former gymnastics athlete himself, Shin's persistent dedication led her parents to allow her to pursue the sport. She trained intensely, sometimes for 10 hours a day, and even moved to Russia for advanced training during her first year of high school. There, she was notably taken under the wing of Irina Viner, a prominent figure in Russian gymnastics.

Shin's rhythmic gymnastics career culminated in qualifying for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a significant achievement for Korean rhythmic gymnastics after a 16-year hiatus. Although she did not reach the final round, her 12th-place finish was the best among Korean athletes at the time. She recalls the moment as a reward for over a decade of effort, with her parents watching from the upper stands due to the sport's low popularity.

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It felt like receiving a reward for over 10 years of effort. At the time, it was such an unpopular sport that my parents had difficulty getting tickets and watched from the very top of the stands.

After retiring in 2011, Shin achieved national recognition for her spectacular 360-degree ceremonial first pitch at a professional baseball game in 2013. This unique pitch, an adaptation of a rhythmic gymnastics move, garnered significant attention, even being featured in Major League Baseball. The event propelled her into a broadcasting career, solidifying her status as a "sportertainer."

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I thought about doing a pitch that showed my background as a gymnast, so I applied the 'Back Illusion' move, which was my specialty, to a forward-rotating illusion before throwing the ball.

Shin has since explored various sports, including bowling, archery, and golf, approaching each with the same intense dedication she showed in gymnastics. She earned a professional bowling license and achieved a single-digit handicap in golf within three years, demonstrating her commitment to mastering new athletic pursuits.

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After the illusion pitch, I was called to many places, and I think I swept the floor a lot with my hair.