OlympicTalk · Jul 8, 2016
Olympic vault champion to miss Rio Games
Olympic vault champion Yang Hak-seon will not be able to defend his title in Rio after tearing an Achilles tendon in March, according to South Korean media.
“Yang Hak-seon told us that in his present state he isn’t able to perform professional techniques,” the Korea Gymnastics Association said in a statement, according to Yonhap News Agency. “He’s gradually getting better, but he will need more treatment to become fully healthy.”
Yang, 23, is the only South Korean Olympic gymnastics champion. He also took world titles on vault in 2011 and 2013.
Yang was looking to face off with North Korean Ri Se-gwang in Rio. Ri captured the world vault titles in 2014 and 2015.