In 2026, the year of Byeonggo (丙午年) has dawned. This is a year with high expectations for sports fans as there is more to see as major international sports competitions are concentrated. In particular, I am looking forward to the performance of the players in the Year of the Horse.
In 2026, starting with the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo in February, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, the FIFA North and Central America World Cup in June and July, and the Nagoya Asian Games in September and October.
Like horses with dynamic and energetic symbols, the ideal picture is for them to play a leading role in international sports competitions and promote Korea widely.
Among these, the one who is receiving the most attention is Ahn Se-young (24, Samsung Life Insurance). Ahn Se-young won a whopping 11 times last year and was crowned ‘GOAT (Greatest Of All Time).’ It is the most wins by a women’s singles player in badminton history, and the most ties ever, including men’s singles.
In addition, the winning rate of 94.8% (73 wins, 4 losses) and the season prize money exceeding 1 million dollars (about 1.447 billion won) were also the highest and first ever.
The Asian Games await this season. Three years ago, at the Hangzhou Games, he put on a touching performance by defeating his ‘natural enemy’ Chen Yufei (China) despite limping due to a knee injury in the final. Although they are called the Asian Games, in fact, the top 10 in the world rankings are all Asian nationals, so it is in fact the best stage in the world. Defending champion Ahn Se-young’s goal is to protect the gold medal from numerous challengers.
The key is injuries. Ahn Se-young, who has suffered from chronic knee injuries, suffered from thigh cramps in the finals of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals 2025, the king of kings, on the 21st of last month.
Ahn Se-young expressed her determination, saying, “I did a lot of maintenance throughout the season and thoroughly managed my diet to reduce the risk of injury as much as possible. Still, since it is the end of the year, I will try to eat with peace of mind. Although it is a short break, I think I will have to prepare again. As I always have, if I do my best every day, good results will be waiting for me.”
The baseball team players who will participate in the WBC are also attracting attention. Professional baseball was a box office hit, attracting 12 million spectators, the largest in domestic professional sports history, but it faces another challenge in international competitions. They were eliminated from the WBC group stage three times in a row, and this time they set out with the goal of making it through without fail.
Players born in 2002, born in the year of the Horse, must play a key role. They are Cho Byeong-hyun (SSG Landers), who has become one of the best closing pitchers in the KBO, and Kim Joo-won (NC Dinos), a 2025 shortstop golden glover.
They also had a career-high season last year and their skills have improved. With that upward momentum, he must lead the national team in the WBC, where the world’s best players are present. Byeong-Hyun Cho was untouchable last year with 30 saves and an ERA of 1.60, but in an evaluation match against Japan on the 16th of last month, he gave up 2 runs with 3 walks and 3 walks in 1 inning, and he regained his composure after receiving a painful vaccination.
Players born in 1990 include fellow LG Twins outfielder Park Hae-min and catcher Park Dong-won, who will play key roles in defense. In fact, as this may be the last international competition, I am determined to burn my last strength.
There are also Horse Year stars who are trying to make a name for themselves at the World Cup. Lee Tae-seok (FK Austria Vienna), the son of Lee Eul-yong, the ‘free kick master’, who is now a member of the national team; Lee Han-beom (Midtjylland), who is expected to be the center of defense with Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich); and Uhm Um-seong (Swansea City) and Jeong Sang-bin (St. Louis City), who will add vitality to the attack.
In particular, Lee Tae-seok, who was born during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, where his father reached the semifinals, is determined to set a record of having a father and son participate in the World Cup in his first World Cup, while also taking responsibility for the left defensive line as a key player. He has made a soft landing on the European stage thanks to his exquisite kicking ability that closely resembles his father, and is already emerging as a key player for the national team in 2025, playing in 12 games and even scoring his debut goal in the international match.
Born in 1990, there is national team goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu (FC Tokyo). Still active as a key goalkeeper for the national team, he is preparing for the World Cup, which could be the last of his career.
Yeo Jun-seok (24, University of Seattle) is considered the player who will lead the revival of Korean basketball. Korean basketball is on the rise to the extent that it recently achieved two consecutive wins over China in the World Cup Asian qualifiers and is at the top of Group B. It’s been 12 years since they won two games in a row against China.
Another overseas player, Lee Hyun-joong (26, Nagasaki Belka), is taking center stage, and although he could not participate this time, Yeo Jun-seok is considered a key player who will bring about Korean basketball with a different style.
Yeo Jun-seok, who already has many fans due to his handsome appearance, contrasts with Lee Hyun-joong, whose specialty is 3-pointers, and creates a special harmony based on his bold attack under the goal with exciting dunks. Together with Lee Jeong-hyeon (27, Goyang Sono), Ha Yoon-gi (27, Suwon KT), and Lee Seung-hyeon (35, Ulsan Hyundai Mobis), they are determined to write a new history at the Asian Games once again in 12 years, following the 2002 Busan and 2014 Incheon Games.
Judo star Heo Mimi (Gyeongbuk Sports Council), who was born in 2002 and is aiming for a gold medal at the Asian Games, is a Korean in Japan but gave up her Japanese nationality and chose Korea according to her grandmother’s will. Heo Mimi, a descendant of independence activist Heo Seok, has already become a hot topic at the 2024 Paris Olympics with her unique story, and at the time, she won a silver medal in the women’s 57kg class.
Challenge for the top spot at the Nagoya Asian Games. He won the National Sports Festival this year and won the gold medal at the International Judo Federation (IJF) Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, completely shaking off his injury and giving him the green light to win the Asian Games gold medal. Moreover, since the Asian Games are being held in Japan, it is expected to be even more meaningful.
