Ha Min, known as the “philosopher of the sea,” won the men’s one-person dinghy Laser class at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on October 2. He finished the final race at the Kaiyo Yacht Harbor in Gamagori, Aichi Prefecture, with nine points to take first place, overcoming a disqualification in the opening race.
The victory restored Ha to the top of the Asian Games podium eight years after his previous gold medal in the event. He had won the same class at the 2010 Guangzhou, 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, before taking silver at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.
For Ha, the result also marked a return after a period of uncertainty about whether he would compete at another Asian Games. He said he had lost motivation and felt tired after more than two decades of competing and training overseas, but continued support from the Korea Yachting Federation helped him keep racing.
A veteran returns to the top
The Busan-born sailor began sailing after taking part in a city-run experience class during the summer vacation of his fourth-grade year at Yangjeong Elementary School. After a difficult week at the competition, he said he was pleased to finish on the highest step of the podium. The gold medal adds another major result to a career that has already included three earlier Asian Games titles in the Laser class.