Jincheon: Before she embarked on her journey in competitive shooting, Kwon Yuna, now a promising rifle shooter, had once harbored dreams of becoming a journalist. Her interest in journalism began during her freshman year in 2020 when she joined her school's journalism club, driven by her love for reading and writing. However, a fateful school field trip to a shooting range in 2021 transformed her aspirations as she discovered a new passion for rifle shooting.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Kwon, who is now 21, will make her Asian Games debut in September in Japan, competing in the women's 10-meter air rifle event. Despite moving away from her journalism dreams, she still enjoys reading news articles and jotting down her thoughts. Her dedication to shooting led her to transfer to a school with a dedicated shooting team, a decision that proved fruitful as she set two junior national records and won multiple local and national titles.

Kwon's achievements have not been limited to junior competitions. At the senior level, she played a crucial role in helping South Korea secure the second position in the 10m air rifle team event at both the world and Asian championships in 2025. Her upcoming event at the Asian Games, set for September 20, will be the first medal event in shooting, with the individual qualification round also serving as the team event final.

Kwon will be competing alongside Ban Hyo-jin, a prodigious shooter who claimed gold in the 10m air rifle at the 2024 Paris Olympics at just 16. Their camaraderie extends beyond the range, with both shooters coordinating their gear and sharing living quarters during training and international competitions. Despite the three-year age difference, Kwon admires Ban's maturity and professionalism, learning valuable insights from her younger teammate.

As Kwon prepares for the Asian Games, she remains focused on her goal of winning a gold medal in the team event, hoping that her hard work will lead to satisfying results. With aspirations to reach the podium, Kwon's journey from aspiring journalist to elite athlete highlights her dedication and passion for her sport.