'Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant' Park Tae-hwan's mother revealed why she had her son learn to swim.
The broadcast of KBS2 variety show 'Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant' that aired on the afternoon of the 19th proceeded as a "mom's hand special" prepared for the upcoming national holiday Chuseok.
Park Tae-hwan's mother said, "My son was a rascal even among rascals," and "When I look at old photos he looked as pretty as an actor, and I thought, 'If he looks this pretty he won't be able to do sports.' When he had a cold his bronchial tubes would get weak, and I heard swimming would be good, so I had him do it," she said. In response, Park Tae-hwan confessed, "I didn't like swimming that much, so I would hold my breath and run away."
His mother said, "I thought swimming would make him stand out, so I decided to try having him swim once, and because he was little I would unknowingly scold him and drag him along," adding, "Looking back, it's the best choice I've made so far." Boom said, "His mother is truly the most amazing," and gave a thumbs-up.
Selected as the youngest national swimming representative in the third year of middle school, Park Tae-hwan then rose to the top, winning gold at the Asian Games, the world championships and the Olympics, reaching world No. 1.
Park Tae-hwan's mother recalled, "There is a very small dolphin medal; I won first place in a tournament as a graduation memory from the kindergarten children's sports team. When Tae-hwan came in first place he gained some confidence there. The highest would be an Olympic medal, but everyone says that; I think that tournament was the first to guide his path, so I think that medal is precious. That medal is always displayed first in the showcase." Park Tae-hwan said, "It's my first medal in life, so it has even greater meaning."
[Photo] 'Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant' broadcast screen capture
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