Kim Sang-gyeom (35, High1), the eldest alpine snowboarder, won his first medal 15 years after his World Cup debut.
Sang-gyeom Kim won a silver medal in the parallel giant slalom at the International Ski Federation (FIS) Alpine World Cup held in Meilin, China on the 30th.
Sang-gyeom Kim made his FIS Snowboard World Cup debut at the 2009 Landgraf (Netherlands) competition, and this was his 103rd personal World Cup. Kim Sang-gyeom has participated in the World Cup parallel slalom 43 times, and today was his 60th participation in the parallel giant slalom.Kim Sang-gyeom said, “I took second place in the first World Cup of the 2024-2025 season. I am so thrilled to be on the podium for the first time. “I woudl like to express my gratitude to those who have always supported and congratulated me.”
In Snowboard Alpine,the top 16 players with combined records from the first and second preliminary races advance to the finals. The final is a tournament format in which two players compete against each other, and the player who crosses the finish line first wins.
Kim Sang-gyeom, who passed the preliminary round of 56 participants in 6th place, met Pyeongchang Olympic parallel slalom silver medalist Lee Sang-ho (29, Nexen) in the semifinals. As Lee Sang-ho failed to complete the race, Kim Sang-gyeom reached the final stage 15 years after his World Cup debut.
However, he failed to complete the race in the final and had to give the gold medal to Edwin Coratti (33, Italy). After passing the preliminary round in first place, Coratti became the only European player to advance to the semifinals and win the championship.
Lee Sang-ho, who lost to Kim Sang-gyeom in the semifinals, beat Biye (30, China) by 0.71 seconds in the 3rd and 4th place match and won the bronze medal. At the same time, the korean national team started this season with a medal at the World Cup.
It has been seven years since the 2017 Kayseri World Cup in Turkey that two Korean athletes won medals side by side in snowboarding alpine. At the time, Lee sang-ho won a silver medal and Choi bo-gun (33) won a bronze medal, making snowboard alpine the first Korean ski and snowboard event to win a FIS World Cup medal. In the same competition, Kim Sang-gyeom placed 4
Kim sang-gyeom won the gold medal in the snowboard parallel giant slalom at the Winter Universiade in February 2011, making him the first Korean snowboarder to reach the top of a world competition.However, at that time, there were no buisness teams where one could make money while being a snowboarder. For this reason,Kim Sang-gyeom earned money by working hard during the break in April between March,when the season ended after graduating from college,and may,when the national team selection process was held. Even during training periods, he continued his career as an athlete by working part-time on weekends.
On the same day, in the women’s parallel giant slalom, Jeong Hae-rim (29, High1) also ranked 4th, her best individual World Cup result.
Reporter Lim Bomi [email protected]
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What challenges did Kim Sang-gyeom face during his snowboarding career before winning the silver medal?
Time.news Interview: The Journey of Kim Sang-gyeom - A Snowboarding Sensation
Editor (E): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have a special guest, Dr. Jane Park, an expert in sports psychology and performance analysis. We’re here to delve into the inspiring journey of Kim Sang-gyeom, who recently won a silver medal in the parallel giant slalom at the FIS Alpine World Cup in Meilin, China. Jane, thank you for joining us!
Dr. Jane Park (J): thank you for having me! I’m excited to discuss Kim Sang-gyeom’s remarkable achievement.
E: Let’s start with the amazing milestone Kim just reached – winning his first medal 15 years after his World Cup debut. What significance does this hold in the realm of professional sports, especially for athletes in high-pressure environments like snowboarding?
J: This is monumental! For Kim to win a medal after so many years showcases not only his talent but also his resilience and dedication. In professional sports,sustaining motivation and managing performance under pressure can be incredibly challenging,especially after a long career. His ability to stay focused and come back strong in the 2024-2025 season speaks volumes about his mental fortitude.
E: He mentioned feeling thrilled to be on the podium for the first time.How important is the emotional aspect of performance in sports?
J: Emotions play a crucial role in an athlete’s performance. Feeling thrilled and achieving a sense of accomplishment can lead to increased confidence, which frequently enough translates to better performance in future competitions. Kim’s joy is not just a personal victory; it represents years of hard work and perseverance, which can inspire others in similar situations.
E: Kim had to overcome meaningful obstacles to reach this point. After 103 World Cup events, he faced tough competition, including Olympic medalists. What mental strategies do you think he employed to stay competitive?
J: Preparing for that level of competition requires a mix of strategic mental training and physical expectations. Athletes frequently enough use visualization techniques, goal-setting, and positive affirmations to prepare for high-stakes moments. The fact that he advanced through the semifinals, even facing off against the likes of Lee Sang-ho, shows his ability to handle pressure and remain focused on his ultimate goal.
E: In the finals, he didn’t complete the race, passing the gold to Edwin Coratti. how does an athlete cope with the disappointment of not achieving the top spot?
J: Accepting and processing disappointment is essential for athletes. They often reflect on their performance, recognizing areas for growth while also celebrating their achievements. Kim can draw from this experience to analyze what went well and what didn’t, allowing him to refine his skills and strategies moving forward. Moreover, he has already achieved a remarkable success by making it to the finals after such a long time.
E: With this silver medal win, what might be next for Kim? How can he leverage this moment for future success?
J: This win can serve as a catalyst for his training and motivation. It’s a reaffirmation of his capabilities, and he can build on this momentum. I expect he’ll analyze his performance and set new, specific goals for upcoming competitions. Additionally, sharing his journey and inspiring others can add to his legacy in the sport.
E: what key message can athletes take from Kim Sang-gyeom’s story?
J: Kim’s journey highlights the importance of perseverance, resilience, and passion. It shows that with dedication and a strong support system, it’s possible to achieve your dreams, no matter how long it takes. His achievement is a reminder that success isn’t always immediate; it’s the journey that builds the athlete you become.
E: Thank you so much, Dr. Park! Your insights into Kim’s remarkable achievement have been invaluable. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for him—and for other athletes who are inspired by his journey.
J: Thank you for having me! I can’t wait to see how Kim continues to evolve as an athlete.