Seoul: For the past eight or so years, South Korean swimmer An Se-hyeon has experienced a turbulent relationship with her sport, oscillating between passion and disillusionment.

According to Yonhap News Agency, An was at the height of her career in 2017 and 2018. During the 2017 world championships in Budapest, she achieved a fourth-place finish in the women's 200-meter butterfly, marking the highest placement by a South Korean female swimmer at the event. Her performance set a national record with a time of 2:06.67, which remains unbeaten. An also established the national record in the 100m butterfly with a time of 57.07 seconds at the same championships, a record that still stands.

In 2018, An secured two bronze medals at the Asian Games in the 100m butterfly and the 4x100m mixed medley relay. Despite being in her early 20s and seemingly at the peak of her career, An gradually faded from the spotlight as her compatriots on the South Korean swimming team began accumulating medals at the Olympics, Asian Games, and world championships. She became a forgotten figure.

Now at 30 years old, An has made a comeback, qualifying for this year's Asian Games by clinching the 50m butterfly title at the national team trials in March. After a training session at the Jincheon National Training Center, An reflected on her journey, sharing her struggles and her return to the national team.

"There were times when I thought about distancing myself from swimming," An disclosed to Yonhap News Agency. "I tried different things but realized I wanted to end my career on a better note. Fortunately, I had substantial support from the national team staff, giving me another shot to compete internationally."

An attributed her struggles primarily to mental challenges rather than physical ones. Despite training in an excellent environment, she felt isolated, lacking a support network during tough times. As the eldest among the 11 female swimmers on the national team, An is committed to ensuring younger swimmers do not endure similar hardships by keeping open lines of communication with her teammates.

"I want them to feel comfortable around me, although some have confessed they find it intimidating to approach me," An remarked. "I'm open to sharing my experiences and helping them in any way possible."

An's love for swimming reignited gradually, with no specific event marking the turning point. The COVID-19 pandemic provided her with an opportunity to pause and recharge mentally.

"I used to feel terrified and even cried at the thought of swimming," An admitted. "But with time, I realized my enduring love for the sport and the unforgettable moments it granted me. I didn't want to be forgotten, so I decided to give competitive swimming another chance."

While acknowledging she is not the swimmer she once was, An is focused on giving her best under current circumstances. Instead of aiming for past glories, she aims to perform well at the Asian Games to gain confidence for future competitions, including the 2028 Olympics.

"I used to obsess over winning every race," An reflected. "Now, I aspire to be an athlete who inspires others."