KOREAN NET

By Gil Kyuyoung and Hong Angie

Video = Lee Jun Young

※Armless iron triathlete Kim Hwang Tae

"I'm glad and happy that I safely completed the race."

Kim Hwang Tae on Sept. 2 finished 10th in the PTS3 triathlon with a time of 1:24:01 at the Paris Summer Paralympics. He thus fulfilled his decade-long dream of completing a race in the competition.

In August 2000, his life changed forever after he was electrocuted while working on a high-voltage line. The loss of both arms caused him to fall into despair for a while, but despite feeling like he was in an endless abyss, he pulled himself together.

A lifelong exercise enthusiast, Kim found a new calling starting with the marathon and later Nordic skiing and taekwondo. He eventually made history as the first Korean triathlete to qualify for the Paralympics.

"The last sport I tried was the triathlon. A small hope turned into a huge spark that enabled me to compete in the Paralympics," he said on how he felt after his performance.

Triathlon is an extreme sport that challenges a human's limits, thus the event is also known as the ironman triathlon. The Paralympic triathlon has 750 m of swimming, 20 km of cycling and 5 km of running, with the scores from all three events combined to determine the final player rankings.

In Paris, Kim was the only competitor to lack arms, thus swimming posed his biggest challenge. "I had to use the backstroke due to the Seine River's strong currents," he said. "I got cramps all over my body because I struggled since I wasn't used to the backstroke."

"As I swam the backstroke, I made eye contact with people cheering above on the bridge or in boats. Greeting them through eye contact gave me a lot of strength."

Though starting the triathlon well into his 40s, Kim never gave up and eventually achieved his dream of completing the Paralympic race. Ignoring the rankings, he appeared far happier than anyone else while crossing the finish line amid heated spectator support.

On his plans, he calmly said "I've achieved all of my goals as an athlete, but will continue training as a member of the Paralympic team."

Kim said starting exercise after becoming physically disabled changed his life 180 degrees. He added that he hopes the Paralympics get more widely known with more disabled athletes competing.

He ended the interview with a tip he urged people not to forget. "Exercising raises your sociability and enriches your life," he said. "Go outside and engage in activities. Your life will change at that moment."

※Paddling toward hope: Choi Yong Beom

Paralympic canoeist Choi Yong Beom on Sept. 7 paddles toward the finish line in the men's kayak single 200 m (KL3) at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium in Vaires-sur-Marne, France. (Korea Paralympic Committee)  

"Dreams aren't just for dreaming, they must be translated into action."

This is Paralympic canoeist Choi Yong Beom's message to the world. Great accomplishments are possible despite physical disability through persistent challenge and hard work.

Choi was a non-disabled canoeist who was steadily working toward his dream of making it to the global stage. In March 2022, however, a car accident derailed his hope and life.

Afterward, he had to use a wheelchair and spent a difficult time at a rehabilitation center. His coach Joo Jong-gwan and Maeng Chan-joo, a manager at the Korea Paralympic Committee, at the time recommended that Choi try Paralympic canoeing.

Choi hesitated at first because of lack of confidence in doing well. But his love and passion for the sport overcame his doubts.

His preparation for the Paralympics was tough, as he pushed himself to the extreme both physically and mentally. Outdoor training during the scorching summer heat and wounds on his legs made training far more painful and difficult.

But Choi never gave up, persistently training daily from dawn to dusk.

He qualified for the Paralympics thanks to his ceaseless dedication. Despite not winning a medal, he said he felt a huge sense of accomplishment by competing, adding, "It was so overwhelmingly emotional that words cannot describe my feelings at the time."

Choi was named the national team's flag bearer in Paris, waving the Taegeukgi in leading his teammates to the main stadium at the opening ceremony. Representing his country and holding its flag both gave him immense pride.

"I felt so proud wearing traditional Korean clothing while marching with other athletes," he said. "I was so happy and proud. Interacting with many foreign athletes and taking photos with over 200 people formed a special memory that I'll never forget."

On his plans and goals, he said, "I will steadily continue training to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. I also want to gradually get results every year at the world championships, and my ultimate dream is to become a Paralympic medalist."

gilkyuyoung@korea.kr