The Korean Swimming Federation has hired Petra Árkovics as its national artistic swimming team coach. She will work alongside Kim Hyomi, who has been part of the coaching staff since 2017.
Árkovics was part of Hungary’s national artistic swimming coaching staff from 2015 to 2018, and moved up to the head coaching position from 2019 to last year.
She arrived in South Korea on March 9th, and quickly joined the team at the Jincheon National Training Center on the 10th. She takes over the position held for the past three years by Oksana Pismennaya, who helped lead the duet to a 13th-place finish at the Paris Olympic Games.
“Whenever I have watched the Korean National Team at various international competitions, I have always been impressed by the humble and dedicated players’ teamwork and strong commitment to training,” Árkovics said.
Árkovics will work closely with four national team athletes, including Olympian Hur Yoonseo. Although still only 19 years old, Hur comes in as the most experienced swimmer, having competed on the senior stage through two Olympic cycles and participated in three World Championships.
21-year-old Kim Jihye, on the national team since 2019, will also bring valuable experience to this small squad. Kim has competed in the 2019 and 2023 World Championships, most notably placing 10th in both mixed duet finals in the latter.
Two younger athletes, Lee Chayeun, 17, and Lee Sieun, 18, complete this training group. Both last competed internationally at the 2022 World Youth Championships, where Lee Sieun finished sixth in solo and 14th in figures, while Lee Chayeun ranked seventh in duet.
Notably missing from the squad is veteran and Olympian Lee Riyoung. Lee had been on the national team since 2016, competing in five World Championships and two Asian Games. The 24-year-old has however not made any formal announcement regarding the next step in her career.
The Korean national team finished sixth in both the duet and team events at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, and only competed in the duet event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games (held in 2023). There, they unfortunately missed out on a medal, finishing in fourth place.
Hur and Lee ultimately went on to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games after placing 10th in both technical and free duet at the 2024 Doha World Championships. This was South Korea’s first appearance at the Olympics since 2012.
The coaches and athletes of South Korea are now looking ahead to the 2025 World Championships in Singapore and the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
“I always tell my swimmers to believe in themselves, to be eager and to train from the heart,” Árkovics said. ”This summer’s World Aquatics Championships in Singapore is an important midway point to qualify for the 2026 Asian Games next year, so we are aiming to reach the final and finish in the top 10.”
ARTICLE BY CHRISTINA MARMET
Photos: Korean Swimming Federation
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