Yeo's father, Yeo Hong-Chul, has been the most influential person in her career. He won a silver medal on vault at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and gold at the Asian Games in 1994 and 1998. Her mother, Kim Yoon-Ji, also competed in artistic gymnastics, winning a bronze medal at the 1994 Asian Games.

International Debut and Achievements

Yeo made her international debut in 2018, representing the Republic of Korea. She trains with Jecheon City Hall under coaches Lee Kwang-Yeon and Lee Jeong-Sik. Her dedication paid off when she became the first female gymnast from Korea to win an Olympic medal by securing bronze on vault at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

This achievement also marked a historic moment as she and her father became the first father-daughter duo from Korea to both win Olympic medals. Yeo Hong-Chul had previously won silver on vault at the 1996 Olympics.

Injuries and Challenges

Yeo has faced several injuries throughout her career. In 2019, she injured her ankle during a vault at the World Cup event in Melbourne. She also suffered a shoulder injury later that year but returned to training in January 2020. In 2021, back trouble prevented her from competing at the World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan.

Despite these setbacks, Yeo continued to compete, although she was still dealing with an ankle injury during the 2022 World Championships in Liverpool.

Awards and Recognition

Yeo has received numerous awards for her contributions to gymnastics. In 2019, she was given an Encouragement Award at the Korean Sport and Olympic Committee Athletic Awards. She also received a Grand Award at the 2018 Gyeonggi-do Athletics Awards and a Rookie Award at the 2018 MBN Women's Sports Grand Awards.

Named Element

In June 2019, Yeo added a new element to the Code of Points for vault by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). The 'Yeo Seojeong' involves a handspring forward and a salto forward with a 720-degree twist. This element is a variation of 'Yeo 2,' first performed by her father in 1994.

Personal Interests and Philosophy

Outside of gymnastics, Yeo enjoys watching YouTube videos, solving jigsaw puzzles, listening to music, and gem painting. Her sporting philosophy is simple yet powerful: "Never give up your dream. You will have a successful future one day."

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, Yeo aims to win gold on vault at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. With her determination and family legacy, she is well-positioned to achieve this goal.

Yeo Seojeong's journey is a testament to perseverance and dedication. Her achievements have not only brought pride to her family but also inspired many young athletes in Korea and beyond.