Tokyo: High jumper Woo Sang-hyeok captured his second career silver medal at the world outdoor championships in Tokyo on Tuesday, just missing out on a piece of South Korean athletics history. Woo jumped 2.34 meters to finish in second place behind Hamish Kerr of New Zealand, who cleared 2.36m for his first career gold at the World Athletics Championships at the National Stadium in the Japanese capital.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Woo, the 2022 silver medalist, was trying to become the first South Korean athlete to win an outdoor world title. Despite his efforts, he was unable to surpass Kerr, who proved to be a formidable competitor.

Woo, who had won the world indoor crown in March this year, also came up short of joining Javier Sotomayor in 1993 as the only male high jumpers to capture both the indoor and outdoor world titles in the same year. This achievement remains a rare feat in the world of athletics.

Woo had been undefeated in seven international events this season before Kerr, the 2024 Olympic gold medalist, outlasted him Tuesday. The competition in Tokyo was a high-stakes event for Woo, who has consistently demonstrated skill and determination throughout the season.