Chaelynn Hwang suited up for Korea at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Women’s Lacrosse Championship in Australia, following in her father’s footsteps after he represented the team in 2002.
Her father captained Korea at the 2002 World Lacrosse Men’s Championship, which was held in Perth, Australia, and played alongside his younger brother. Chaelynn, now 16, wears the same jersey number, No. 9, as her father and was the youngest player for Korea’s squad.
“I’ve been around lacrosse basically all my life. I was kind of born to play and grew up playing, and I’m just so honored to be here wearing his number in the same country representing Korea.”
“It means so much,” said Hwang. “I think they [the family] are so proud of me and I’m so happy that I get to be here and honor them. And he was the captain in 2002, so to be able to follow in his footsteps and help the team as much as possible is amazing for me.”
Like many teams in the region, Korea balances its roster with players from America and players from Korea, and must develop chemistry quickly at international events.
“I think the collective mindset of wanting to win and wanting to play for a country really brings us together,” said Hwang. “No matter if I’m the youngest one or the oldest one, I think we all have the same mindset and we all want to do the same thing — representing our country, making our families proud, making our friends proud. I think that’s what really bridges the gap between us.”
Korea has appeared in four senior women’s championships and three junior championships, including the last women’s U20 championship in 2024 in Hong Kong, China.
“I see my teammates as my sisters, my older sisters androle models, and I hope to have these connections for the rest of my life,” concluded Hwang.”
Korea’s men’s program has appeared in the last six senior championships dating back to 2002, and last five junior championships. The 2025 World Lacrosse Men’s U20 Championships will be hosted by the Korea Lacrosse Association on Jeju Island in August.
