Four ChildFund Korea 'i-LEADER' Alumni, Including Baek Du-san and Lee Ju-young, Vie for Asian Games Medals

[Financial News] Four athletes supported through ChildFund Korea's talent development program will represent South Korea at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
According to ChildFund Korea, a specialized child welfare organization, on the 18th, Baek Du-san, Lee Ju-young, Lee Ye-ju and Choi Ji-woon, all former participants in the talent development program 'i-LEADER,' will compete as members of South Korea's national teams in kurash, 3x3 basketball, diving and sailing, respectively. The Games will be held from the 19th to October 4 in Aichi Prefecture, Nagoya and other parts of Japan.
Baek Du-san switched from judo to kurash. After being selected for i-LEADER in 2020, Baek continued training and will compete for a medal at the Games.
Lee Ju-young, who joined i-LEADER in 2022, is aiming for gold in 3x3 basketball. Lee has devoted herself to training so intensely that she would not put down a basketball even when her friends went out to play.
Lee Ye-ju began swimming and diving around the third grade of elementary school and joined i-LEADER in 2024. That year, she won three gold medals and two silver medals at the National Sports Festival, and she won four titles last year. She was selected for South Korea's national diving team for 2025-2026.
Choi Ji-woon took up sailing at the recommendation of a physical education teacher while in elementary school and placed first in the elementary division of a national-level competition just one year later. Choi was selected for i-LEADER last year and joined the national team this year in the ILCA 4 sailing event.
i-LEADER is a program that helps talented children develop. Since 2009, it has provided 14,446 children with support for specialized education programs, teaching materials and equipment, and competition entry fees. It also offers overseas training, academic consulting, and meetings with expert and senior mentors. This year, 1,776 children were selected.
The program combines support for education and competition expenses with overseas training and mentoring to help children develop their talents and gain experience.
Hwang Young-ki, chairman of ChildFund Korea, said, "All children should be able to nurture their dreams regardless of their economic or environmental circumstances. ChildFund Korea will always stand with them so that more talented young people can spread their wings and reach the wider world."

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