The ankle pain I had been suffering from worsened… “Focus on preparing for the remaining competitions”
Korean figure skating men’s singles star Cha Jun-hwan (Korea University) gave up participating in the free skating competition at the 2024-2025 International Skating Union (ISU) Senior Grand Prix 5th competition due to pain in his right ankle.
Coach Ji Hyeon-jeong, Cha Jun-hwan’s leader, said in a phone call with Newsis on the 16th, “Cha Jun-hwan’s right ankle was not in good condition. “The pain has gotten worse recently when I changed my boots,” he said. “As there are many international competitions remaining, I decided it would be better to focus on recovery rather than forcing myself to participate in the competition.”
He continued, “While treating my ankle, I plan to prepare for the President’s Cup ranking competition, which involves qualifying for the Four Continents Championships, the 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, and the World Championships.”
Cha Jun-hwan developed a problem with his right ankle nerve ahead of the 2023-2024 season.
While managing his injury, he participated in the second Grand Prix competition of the 2023-2024 season, but withdrew from the fifth competition due to injury.
Cha Jun-hwan, who prepared for the season while managing his ankle injury, participated normally in the second Grand Prix competition this season, but his ankle condition, which had worsened due to a boot replacement, did not improve.
Cha Jun-hwan, who was suffering from pain, also performed disappointingly in the short program of the 5th Grand Prix competition.
Cha Jun-hwan, who fell hard in the quadruple salchow, which was his first jumping task, remained in 7th place with 77.33 points, with 38.48 technical score (TES) and 39.85 artistic score (PCS), plus 1 point deduction.
Cha Jun-hwan, who gave up participating in the free skating to manage his injury, was unable to advance to the Grand Prix Final.
The Grand Prix Final is a king-of-the-match competition in which only the top six players in the season’s Grand Prix series participate.
Cha Jun-hwan won a bronze medal in the second Grand Prix competition held at the end of last month and earned 11 ranking points, but he gave up this competition midway and was unable to add ranking points.
After returning to Korea, Cha Jun-hwan focuses on treatment and prepares for the next competition.
We plan to focus on the Asian Winter Games, which will open in Harbin, China, on February 7th next year, the Four Continents Championships, which will be held in Seoul on February 19th next year, and the World Championships, which will be held in Boston, Massachusetts, USA in March.
Coach Ji explained, “As the ranking competition held at the end of this month is both the first selection for the national team for the next season and the selection for the Four Continents Championships, I plan to focus on treatment before heading out,” adding, “I plan to participate in international
[서울=뉴시스]
-
- great
- 0dog
-
- I’m sad
- I’m angry
- 0dog
-
- I recommend it
- dog
Hot news now
What are the most common ankle injuries in athletes, particularly in figure skating?
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Dr. Lisa Kim, Sports Medicine Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Dr. Kim! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today. We’re discussing the recent news involving Korean figure skating star Cha Jun-hwan, who had to withdraw from a major competition due to worsening ankle pain. Can you give us a brief overview of the common types of ankle injuries that athletes like Cha might experience?
Dr. Lisa Kim: Thank you for having me! Ankle injuries are quite common in figure skaters and can range from acute injuries like sprains to chronic conditions involving tendonitis or nerve issues, as we see in Cha’s case. The repetitive stress and high-impact nature of their sport make them particularly susceptible. In Cha’s situation, it sounds like he may have developed a problem with the nerve in his ankle, which can cause pain and instability.
Time.news Editor: It’s definitely concerning to hear that athletes face these challenges. Cha’s coach mentioned that the pain intensified after changing his boots. How significant is the choice of footwear in preventing injuries for athletes?
Dr. Lisa Kim: Footwear is crucial for athletes, particularly in sports that require precise movements and jumps, like figure skating. A poorly fitted or inappropriate boot can lead to misalignment, which then contributes to injuries. Skaters often have very specific needs when it comes to support and flexibility, and a change in boot can significantly affect their biomechanics.
Time.news Editor: Absolutely. Given that he had already faced an ankle issue earlier in the season, how important is it for athletes to communicate about their injuries?
Dr. Lisa Kim: Communication is vital in sports. Athletes should feel empowered to speak up about their pain or discomfort. Early intervention is key to preventing minor issues from escalating into more severe injuries. Coaches and medical staff need to work closely with athletes to manage pain and modify training as required.
Time.news Editor: Cha has decided to focus on recovery and prepare for upcoming competitions rather than pushing through the pain. How does this decision impact an athlete’s mental approach, and what can they do to maintain their mental health during recovery?
Dr. Lisa Kim: That’s a wise decision on Cha’s part. Taking the time to recover is essential not only physically but mentally as well. Athletes often face immense pressure, and stepping back can be difficult. To maintain mental health during recovery, it’s important for them to engage in activities they enjoy, stay connected with teammates, and perhaps use visualization techniques to cope with the competitive aspect of their sport while they’re sidelined.
Time.news Editor: Considering the importance of recovery, what types of treatments or rehabilitation do you recommend for athletes recovering from an ankle injury like Cha’s?
Dr. Lisa Kim: A combination of rest, physical therapy, and possibly anti-inflammatory treatments is often effective. Rehabilitation should focus on improving strength, flexibility, and balance to ensure a safe return to sport. As the athlete progresses, they might include sport-specific training to prepare properly for their return.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a well-rounded approach is essential. As Cha looks ahead to competitions like the Asian Winter Games and the World Championships, how can athletes effectively prepare while still prioritizing their recovery?
Dr. Lisa Kim: Setting a gradual return-to-training program tailored to the individual’s recovery speed is key. Working with both a coach and a medical team ensures that training intensity increases appropriately. Incorporating low-impact exercises can also help maintain fitness levels without aggravating the injury.
Time.news Editor: Thank you, Dr. Kim. Your insights are invaluable, especially as we follow Cha Jun-hwan’s journey through recovery and competition. We wish him the best in his recovery and future contests!
Dr. Lisa Kim: Thank you! I look forward to seeing how he performs in the upcoming events. Recovery is a journey, and it’s great to see athletes being proactive about their health.