On July 8, South Korea’s celebrated shooter Kim Ye-ji shared through her agency, PLFIL, that she would be stepping away from competitive shooting to focus on supporting her husband—also a shooter—and raising their child.
“Rather than continuing life as an athlete, I plan to concentrate on family life and cheer for my husband’s career for the time being,” she stated.
Acknowledging the challenges female athletes face, she explained, “It’s realistically difficult to juggle parenting and a sports career, especially in disciplines like shooting that require frequent training and travel. This decision is a practical choice for our family’s happiness.”
According to her agency, Kim Ye-ji recently tied the knot with a fellow shooter and gave birth to their first child. However, she made it clear that this is not a retirement announcement. “I’m not officially retiring. There’s a strong possibility I will return after this chapter of my life,” she emphasized.
Kim Ye-ji made headlines in May 2023 after setting a world record in the 25m pistol event at the ISSF World Cup. She went on to win a silver medal in the 10m air pistol at the Paris Olympics. Her name gained additional spotlight when Tesla CEO Elon Musk mentioned her on social media following her Olympic performance.
Post-Olympics, Kim Ye-ji balanced competitive sports with endorsements and photo shoots. In November 2023, she parted ways with her team, Imsil County Office, citing personal reasons, and entered a period of rest.