Asian Geographic - 09.2018

asian people

business magnates | leadership icons | sporting heroes | science pioneers | cultural figures | philanthropic champions

41

South Korea
Yuna Kim (b. 199 0)
Figure skater (retired 2014)

he “Ice Queen” is an iconic igure-skating world
champion from South Korea. She was the irst
female skater to win the Olympic Games, World
Championships, Four Continents Championships and
Grand Prix Final.

SOURCE © SHUTTERSTOCK

42

South Korea

Park Ji-sung (b.1981)

Footballer (retired 2014)

Nicknamed “hree Lungs Park”, he is considered

the most successful Asian footballer in history, with

exceptional itness level and pace. He was the irst Asian

footballer to win the UEFA Champions League trophy

and FIFA World Cup.

SOURCE © PARALYMPIC.ORG

“I’ve realised the extraordinary power of sports to heal, unite and inspire.”

• K hei Uchimura

Sporting Greats from the Recent Past

38

China
Li Na (b.1982)
Tennis player (retired 2014)

he tennis trailblazer was the only
Asian to win a Grand Slam singles and
the irst Chinese player to get into the
world’s top 10 ranking. In 2014, she
achieved Women’s Tennis Association
(WTA) world no. 2 ranking. Her feats
ignited a major population growth of
tennis players in East Asia.

39

India

Sachin Tendulkar (b.19 7 3)

Cricketer (retired 2013)

he former international cricketer was

considered the “greatest batsman of

all time”. His string of achievements

includes the highest run scorer of all

time, and being the only player to

score 100 international centuries and

complete more than 30,000 runs in

international cricket.

40

Japan

Kōhei Uchimura (b.1989)

Gymnast

Considered the greatest gymnast

of all time, Uchimura has had a

remarkable track record, as a

six-time world champion and

a two-time Olympic winner. His

eight-year reign as gymnastics

champion ended unexpectedly

in 2017 from injury.

SOURCE © SHUTTERSTOCK SOURCE © ZIMBIO SOURCE © RICK MCCHARLES

Won

South Korea’s

first-ever Olympic

figure skating

title