S. Korea launches quest for big medal haul at Universiade

South Korea on Thursday began its quest for a major medal haul at the upcoming Summer Universiade at home, with eyes on a top-three finish in the medal standings.

The South Korean delegation held its launch ceremony at Olympic Park in Seoul. This year's Universiade, a multisport competition for university athletes, will take place in Gwangju, some 330 kilometers south of the capital, and its satellite towns from July 3 to 14.

The goal for South Korea is to grab at least 25 gold medals and finish in the top three in the medal race.

The country's all-time Summer Universiade record for gold medals is 28, collected at the 2011 event in Shenzen, China.

Gwangju is the third South Korean host of the Universiade, after Muju and Jeonju, both in North Jeolla Province, co-hosted the winter edition in 1997 and Daegu held the summer event in 2003.

South Korea finished third in 2003 and 2011, but slipped to fourth in 2013.

The host nation will be represented by 382 athletes and 134 officials in all 21 sports. About 450 of them were on hand for the launch ceremony, including You Byong-jin, head of the delegation.

The first batch of athletes will arrive in Gwangju on Saturday, followed by the rest on July 1.

South Korea's Olympic gold medalists will be at the forefront of the host's drive for the top-three finish.

Badminton star Lee Yong-dae, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist in mixed doubles, will be competing in his hometown of Hwasun, South Jeolla Province, one of the sub-host cities near Gwangju.

Gymnast Yang Hak-seon, the 2012 Olympic gold medalist in the men's vault, is a Gwangju native. The two-time world champ is seeking personal redemption after settling for silver at last year's Asian Games in Incheon.

Archer Ki Bo-bae also has ties to Gwangju region, having attended college in the city. She won two gold medals at the 2012 Olympics but failed to make it past the Asian Games national team trials in 2014.

Ki returned with vengeance this year and finished in first place at the national team trials, brightening her prospects for both the Universiade and next year's Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Though she doesn't yet have an Olympic medal to her credit, rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae should still be one of the biggest attractions at the Universiade. The 2014 Asian Games champ in the individual all-around will compete at her second Universiade. Two years ago in Kazan, Russia, Son earned silver in ball while not making the podium in ribbon, clubs and all-around. (Yonhap)