Im was injured during a landing in Tuesday's match against China

Im Sung-jin attempts an attack during the first set of the South Korea-Philippines men's volleyball preliminary match at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at Park Arena Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on Sunday. [Yonhap]
Im Sung-jin attempts an attack during the first set of the South Korea-Philippines men's volleyball preliminary match at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, held at Park Arena Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, on Sunday. [Yonhap]

South Korea's men's volleyball team has suffered a major setback ahead of its quarterfinal against Iran at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

A Korea Volleyball Association official said Wednesday that attacker Im Sung-jin of the Armed Forces Athletic Corps underwent a detailed medical examination and received a diagnosis of partial ligament damage in his ankle.

Im is in effect ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.

Im injured his right ankle Tuesday during the fourth set of the team's Group D third-round match against China at Park Arena Komaki in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. He hurt himself while landing after a blocking attempt and was carried off the court in a wheelchair. He also left the arena in a wheelchair after the match.

Head coach Isanaye Ramirez said at the time that the ankle appeared to have twisted slightly, adding that the exact condition would need to be confirmed through examination. "I hope it's not a serious injury," he said. "We will do our best to support him."

Im's injury is a significant blow to the national team, which faces Iran — the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games champions — on Thursday for a spot in the semifinals. The schedule has been grueling, with three consecutive days of group-stage matches followed by a day of rest and then another three straight days of competition.


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