SEOUL, Sept. 15 (Yonhap) — South Korean high jumper Woo Sang-hyeok concluded his efforts at the Diamond League Final with a commendable third-place finish, falling short in his quest to defend his title at this elite athletics event held in Belgium.

Competing at the iconic King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Saturday (local time), Woo managed to clear a height of 2.25 meters, which placed him third among a field of six top-tier high jumpers. The competition was fierce, with Italy’s Gianmarco Tamberi clinching the title by clearing 2.34 meters, while Oleh Doroshchuk from Ukraine secured second place with a jump of 2.31 meters.

The Diamond League Final stands out as an exclusive competition, inviting only the highest-performing athletes who have accumulated sufficient points throughout the Diamond League season. This year, the men’s high jump event featured in six out of the 14 Diamond League meetings. Woo earned his spot in the season-ending finale by amassing a total of 19 points, which positioned him third overall in the standings.

Reflecting on Woo’s remarkable journey, it is noteworthy that he made history last year by becoming the first South Korean athlete to ever win a Diamond League Final title. This groundbreaking victory took place in Eugene, Oregon, where Woo achieved an impressive jump of 2.35 meters. Not only did he win, but he also became the first South Korean to qualify for this prestigious final.

The third-place finish in Brussels marks the conclusion of a turbulent season for Woo. Despite being seen as a strong contender for a medal, he had a disappointing performance at the Paris Olympics last month, where he finished seventh. This result was a significant letdown for both Woo and his supporters.

In a heartfelt statement after the event, Woo expressed his frustration and determination: “I tried to do well here to make up for the disappointing result at the Paris Olympics, and it’s really frustrating to settle for third place here,” he shared. “But I will not give up, and I will try to show people that I can keep improving.”

Woo Sang-hyeok’s resilience and commitment to his sport remain evident as he continues to strive for excellence and aims to inspire others with his perseverance and continuous improvement in high jumping.