SHIN Jeahwan

General
PANIC DISORDER
He began experiencing panic attacks a month before the 2020 Olympic Games, which took place in 2021. In October 2021 he fainted during training ahead of the 2021 World Championships, leading him to withdraw from the event, and was then diagnosed with panic disorder. In December 2021 he assaulted a taxi driver when intoxicated, which he attributed to the disorder, and was fined as a result. "I couldn't sleep for more than one or two hours ahead of the 2020 Olympics. Anxiety kept me awake as I worried if I could secure a medal at the Olympics, and how long I could continue my sporting career after having metal pins inserted into my back during school. I was diagnosed with panic disorder in October 2021, and I believed enduring it would lead to healing. However, the assault incident made me realise that it could harm other people. I will now take on greater responsibility in representing the country." (chosun, 23 Jun 2023; newsis, 17 Mar 2022; koreajoongangdaily, 16 Dec 2021)

OVERCOMING INJURY
He underwent surgery on his back in grade 11 of high school. "One day, when I competed at a tournament, I was not even able to breathe due to pain in my back after jumping on vault. That's why I decided to have surgery. I focused on four-hour intense training sessions for rehabilitation each day. After six months, I felt like I was back to form. However, when I was standing in front of the vault for the first time after the surgery, I was hesitant for 10 minutes. I was afraid to jump, and doubted whether I could do it again, despite having metal pins inserted into my back. But I had no choice, as vault was the only thing I could do in my life." (TV Chosun Life Documents My Way, 29 Aug 2021; yna, 03 Aug 2021)

EMULATING HIS HERO
His hero is Korean artistic gymnast Yang Hak-Seon, who won gold in vault at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Shin followed in Yang's footsteps by claiming gold in the same event at the 2020 Games in Tokyo. "I have admired Yang since I was age 15. When he won gold at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, it gave me great motivation. I wanted to become like him. The following day I went to the gym, and copied his routine, like spitting saliva on both hands before jumping. I also hope to inspire young gymnasts." (TV Chosun Life Documents My Way, 29 Aug 2021; TVN You quiz on the block, 28 Aug 2021)