Busan: Yang Hak-seon, the trailblazing gymnast who became the first South Korean to secure an Olympic gold medal in gymnastics 13 years ago, has officially announced his retirement at the age of 32. The announcement came after his final competitive performance at the National Sports Festival in Busan, located approximately 320 kilometers southeast of Seoul, where he secured a bronze medal in the men's vault event, with his wife and son present to witness the moment.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Yang achieved his historic Olympic gold medal in the men's vault at the 2012 London Games when he was just 19 years old. This victory marked a significant milestone for South Korea in the world of gymnastics. In addition to his Olympic triumph, Yang also claimed world championship titles in 2011 and 2013, cementing his legacy in the sport.

Yang's signature move, a triple-twisting handspring front somersault, is recognized as one of the most challenging maneuvers in the gymnastics discipline. However, his career was not without challenges, as he faced a series of injuries in its latter stages, including hamstring issues and an Achilles' tendon injury.

Despite these setbacks, Yang expressed gratitude to his supporters, stating, "I'd like to thank all the fans and people in the gymnastics community who've supported me over the years. My career may have ended but I will continue to work hard for the development of gymnastics in Korea."