Ryu Sung-hyun and Shin Sol-yi shine at first Nagoya AG trials, solidifying their next-generation status

Korean gymnastics’ new era is taking shape as Ryu Sung-hyun of Seoul City Hall and Shin Sol-yi of the Gangwon Provincial Sports Association captured the men’s and women’s all-around titles at the first selection trials for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

According to the Korea Gymnastics Association, Ryu Sung-hyun scored 78.100 points at the National Championships held from November 6–8 in Yanggu, Gangwon Province, taking first place in the men’s all-around. The event served both as the first qualifying round for the 2026 Asian Games and as the national team selection trial for 2026, marking the official start of competition for team spots.

Ryu Sung-hyun, who made history as the only Korean gymnast to reach the all-around finals at the 2025 FIG World Championships in Jakarta last month, extended his strong international form.

He was followed by Kim Jae-ho (Jecheon City Hall, 77.166 points) and Heo Ung (Jecheon City Hall, 76.434 points), who finished second and third, respectively.

In the apparatus finals, Kim Jae-ho won in floor and horizontal bar, Kim Tae-yang (Incheon Physical Education High School) topped pommel horse, Seo Jeong-won (Suwon City Hall) took rings, Lee Chang-gyun (Suwon City Hall) dominated vault, and Cha Ye-jun (Incheon Physical Education High School) won parallel bars.

A total of nine athletes, including Ryu Sung-hyun, Kim Jae-ho, and Heo Ung, were named to the 2026 national men’s gymnastics team.

On the women’s side, Shin Sol-yi secured her second consecutive all-around title with a total of 51.000 points, competing in vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.

Shin Sol-yi, who won five gold medals at last month’s National Sports Festival, impressed judges with her balance and refined execution, cementing her dominance as the new face of Korean women’s gymnastics.

Lim Su-min (Incheon Physical Education High School, 50.900 points) and Park Na-young (Incheon Physical Education High School, 50.000 points) took second and third place, respectively.

In individual events, Park Na-young won vault, Lim Su-min topped uneven bars, while Hwang Seo-hyun (Incheon Physical Education High School) took both balance beam and floor titles.

Returning from a shoulder injury, Yeo Seo-jeong (Jecheon City Hall) competed in the all-around but withdrew from the floor event.

Due to the current roster’s stability, the women’s national team for 2026 will remain unchanged from 2025, according to the Korea Gymnastics Association.

In the rhythmic gymnastics category held November 9–10 at Yanggu Youth Gymnasium, Kim Ri-na (Team 5H) won the all-around title, while Ha Soo-yi (Korea National Sport University) took second.

“The men’s and women’s programs are both showing balance between experienced veterans and rising stars,” the Korea Gymnastics Association stated.

“This event marks a key step in preparing for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and building a stronger foundation for the national team,” it added.