Diving is one of the most exciting sports in the world. It involves leaping and springing into the water while trying to perfect a series of perfected body positions.

Since Woo Ha-ram finished fourth in the men's 3-meter springboard diving event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, recording the best Olympic result in South Korean diving history, the sport is gaining more popularity in Korea.

Yongun International Aquatics Center, where the diving competition for 2027 WUGs will be held, provides fascinating world-class facilities for the nation's elite and local athletes, hosting a variety of international, national, and junior competitions. 

Besides the 10-lane competition pool, other features include a diving pool, warm-up pool, heated pool, and children's swim play area.

Yongun International Aquatics Center is the first barrier-free sports facility to have Universal Design Certification in 2010 and provides a sporting environment and culture that is truly inclusive for all ages and abilities together. 

The aquatics center also offers highly valued community exercise programmes such as scuba diving and high diving lessons in a 5-meter deep diving pool!

Fencing traces its roots to the development of swordsmanship for duels and self-defense. Fencing was included in the competition programme at the 1959 Turin World University Games. Besides archery and speedskating, Korea was raised as one of the world's best fencing countries.

For fencing, Southwest Sports Complex will be built ahead of 2027 WUGs. The complex will house the main and auxiliary stadium, multi-purpose stadium, and a public fitness facility.

Many sports venues have jumped on the sustainability bandwagon to minimize their carbon footprint and preserve their green legacy, as with the Southwest Sports Complex. The facility will incorporate some of the most impressive sustainability elements into its construction and operation, including renewable energy power sources, an air cleaning system, and eco-friendly construction and finishing materials. It will serve as a multi-sports complex that benefits athletes and local residents' physical health and positive lifestyle.

Chungju Korean Martial Arts Promotion Center will host a Judo competition for 2027 WUGs. The architectural design for the facility has been selected, and the design service is expected to complete this year. The facility design delivers the dynamic elegance of Korean martial arts, and the promotion center will undoubtedly become a landmark facility that serves as a focal point for Korean martial arts.

The traditional martial arts promotion center will be built on a site of 27,770 square meters in Hoam-dong Sports Town with a total floor area of 11,500 square meters. The stadium will provide a 4,500 seating capacity stadium, training facilities, community center, experience, and exhibition hall and will be completed in 2024.

I participated in many international competitions, but Universiade is one of the events that I enjoyed very much. Universiade is special. Unlike other sports events, there is a unique atmosphere that it is a celebration for university student-athletes and their sports. I met fellow student-athletes from around the world and shared their feelings as athletes who are also students. It was a fantastic experience that I would never miss out on.

After attending Kazan Universiade, I always recommend other student-athletes around to participate in the Universiade if they can, hoping that they will also cross paths with the once-in-a-lifetime experience.

You play for the Chungcheong regional fencing team. Do you have any encouraging words for the Chungcheong Megacity Universiade bid?

Chungcheong is where I was born and grew up. As a Chungcheong citizen, I will be thrilled and proud if Chungcheong hosts the 2027 WUGs, the world's biggest university student sports event. 

The event will be a good motivation for talented young athletes in Chungcheong, and they will be very looking forward to it, not to mention the majority of citizens in Chungcheong Megacity. I wholeheartedly support Chungcheong Megacity's 2027 WUGs bid and applaud its every endeavor to win the bid.