Park Na-yeon breaks 34-year-old South Korean women's 1500m record, aims for higher goals

Park Na-yeon has shattered the 34-year-old South Korean women's 1500m record, clocking in at 4 minutes and 13.87 seconds at the Hokuren Distance Challenge in Shibetsu, Hokkaido, Japan. This remarkable achievement surpasses the previous record of 4:14.18 set by Lee Mi-kyung in 1992.

Despite setting personal bests multiple times last year, Park narrowly missed the national record. However, her persistence paid off this year, as she not only won the race but also etched her name in the history books. This victory marks a significant comeback after a prolonged slump due to knee injuries and rehabilitation, which began after her second surgery in middle school.

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I will not be complacent and will constantly challenge myself towards higher goals.

Park, who started athletics in third grade and showed early promise by winning two titles at the 2017 Junior Athletics Championships, contemplated quitting the sport during her difficult period. However, joining Wonju City Hall in 2024 reignited her passion. "There were moments when I wanted to give up, facing the goal of a national record," Park shared. "I was able to overcome them thanks to the trust of my coach, family, and teammates."

With the national record now hers, Park is setting her sights on new heights. She is now preparing for the 1500m and 800m events at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September, determined to continue her pursuit of excellence.

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There were moments when I wanted to give up, facing the goal of a national record. I was able to overcome them thanks to the trust of my coach, family, and teammates.