Actress Lee Si-young joined the Incheon City boxing team Thursday, taking the first step towards her goal of competing in the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

The 31-year-old was presented with a membership certificate, a uniform and gloves by Incheon Mayor Song Young-gil at the team initiation ceremony at Incheon Metropolitan Government Thursday. 

Lee’s appearance bore little resemblance to her glamorous image as a film star. She appeared at the ceremony without makeup, wearing a sweatshirt and pants, and with her hair pulled into a ponytail.

“It would be a great honor for an athlete if he or she competes for Korea in the Asian Games,” she told reporters after the ceremony. “It’s the same with me.”

“In reality, I am short of other boxers so it will be difficult for me to qualify for the national side. However, like other competitors, I will try my best.”

She joined the team after it accepted a recommendation from the Incheon Sports Council. The council saw great boxing talent and potential in Lee in the 66th national amateur boxing championship which doubled the 2013 first national qualifying round in Ulsan, last December.

Currently, the Incheon municipal team has three national male boxers, including Shin Jong-heun in the 48-kg class who competed in the 2012 London Olympic Games.

Lee will join in their training soon, and expects to participate in tournaments starting as early as April.

By Chun Sung-woo (swchun@heraldcorp.com)