Seoul: High jumper Woo Sang-hyeok has ended his scheduled European tour prematurely due to some calf discomfort and will instead focus on preparing for the world championships next month, officials said Tuesday. Woo, world No. 1 in the men's high jump, was set to compete in a high jump meet in Heilbronn, Germany, on Sunday, but did not participate in it after being introduced to the crowd.

According to Yonhap News Agency, an official with the Korea Association of Athletics Federations stated that Woo felt some discomfort in his calf during warmup and pulled out of the German event as a precaution. The official mentioned that Woo has also withdrawn from the next two competitions in Europe -- a Diamond League stop in Poland this week and the Diamond League Final in Switzerland at the end of August.

Woo is due back home Wednesday and will undergo tests to determine the extent of his injury. Despite this setback, Woo has had an impressive season, winning all seven of his international events, including the world indoor title and two Diamond League victories. Although likely to qualify for the Diamond League Final, open to the top six in the points standings, Woo has opted to skip upcoming events to focus on the world championships in Tokyo in September.

The men's high jump preliminaries are scheduled for September 14, with the final set for two days later. Woo won silver at the 2022 worlds in the United States, marking the best performance by any South Korean athlete at a world championship. This fall, Woo aims to secure his first outdoor world title, having already clinched an indoor world title.

Woo ascended to the top of the men's high jump world rankings in July, amassing 1,389 points from his performances, 21 points ahead of Oleh Doroshchuk of Ukraine, the reigning European indoor champion.