South Korean rhythmic gymnast Son Yeon-jae said Monday she has begun practicing in Brazil ahead of the Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, with an eye on a historic medal.

Son posted a photo on Instagram of herself in practice in Sao Paulo, where she'll be working out with the Russian national team.

Son, who finished fifth in the individual all-around at the 2012 London Olympics, will try to win South Korea's first Olympic medal in rhythmic gymnastics this month. The Rio Games will kick off on Friday and rhythmic gymnastics will begin on Aug. 19.

Son has been training in Russia year-round since 2011, and also worked out with the Russians ahead of the London Olympics. They will enter the athletes' village in Rio on Aug. 15.

Son picked up 17 medals during the 2016 Rhythmic Gymnastics World Cup, including a silver and a bronze each in the individual all-around. She's ranked No. 5 in the world.

The top-two gymnasts, Yana Kudryavtseva and Margarita Mamun, are both from Russia, and they're expected to continue their dominance in Rio after combining for seven all-around titles at 10 World Cup stops this season.

The world No. 3, Aleksandra Soldatova, isn't competing in Rio because a country can field a maximum of two gymnasts in the all-around. That should leave Son and No. 4-ranked Ganna Rizatdinova of Ukraine to vie for bronze.

Son, 22, has been one of South Korea's most popular and visible athletes for years, and a medal here will catapult her into a whole new level of stardom.



By Yonhap News