Gangwon Province Dominates 2024 National Para Winter Sports Games – Day 2 Highlights
The 23rd National Winter Sports Festival for Persons with Disabilities is witnessing a dominant performance from the Gangwon Province team. Through the event’s second day, Gangwon athletes have consistently secured victories across snow, Nordic, and ice disciplines, demonstrating the region’s established strength in winter sports.
Triumphant Returns and Rising Stars
A particularly inspiring moment came in alpine skiing, with Lee Chi-won (Chuncheon Disabled Athletes’ Association) claiming gold in the seated rotation event. This victory marked his return to official competition after an eight-year absence, showcasing his enduring skill. Team captain Jeong Hyeon-sik (Gangwon Land), returning to represent Gangwon after a decade, also secured a gold medal in the visually impaired rotation event, bolstering team morale.
Medal Success Across Disciplines
Success wasn’t limited to alpine skiing. The team of Go Won-chan and Sun Woo-jin (with guide) added another gold medal, while Choi Gil-ra and Hwang Ui-je (with guide) secured a silver. In Nordic events, Kim Min-young (Provincial Disabled Athletes’ Association Sports Team) and Byeon Ju-young (guide) achieved a remarkable feat, winning gold in the men’s 7.5km biathlon visual impairment event with a time of 25 minutes and 57.2 seconds. This followed their sprint victory the previous day, earning them a second gold medal at the competition.
Dominant Hockey Performance
Gangwon’s ice hockey team continued their tradition of strength with a decisive 18-0 victory over Chungcheongbuk-do, securing their advancement to the semi-finals. They are now scheduled to compete against Seoul on January 29th for a chance to reach the final. Jung Jae-seok also contributed to the medal count, earning a bronze in the men’s 7.5km biathlon seated event with a time of 32 minutes and 36.6 seconds.
According to Gangwon Provincial Disabled Athletes’ Association official, Bang Jeong-gi, the athletes are demonstrating exceptional focus and determination. He expressed confidence in the team’s ability to continue performing at their best through teamwork and mutual support.
Current Standings
As of 5:00 PM on January 28th, the Gangwon team leads the competition with 8 gold medals, 2 silver medals, and 4 bronze medals, totaling 15,237.88 points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What disciplines has the Gangwon team excelled in?
The Gangwon team has achieved success in alpine skiing, Nordic events (specifically biathlon), and ice hockey.
Who are some of the key athletes contributing to Gangwon’s success?
Lee Chi-won, Jeong Hyeon-sik, Kim Min-young, Byeon Ju-young, Go Won-chan, and Sun Woo-jin are among the athletes who have secured medals for the Gangwon team.
What is the Gangwon team’s next major competition?
The Gangwon ice hockey team will compete against Seoul on January 29th for a chance to advance to the final.
What does this early success suggest about the future of adaptive winter sports in Gangwon Province?