‘Three-wheeled racer’ Yonggi Kim (39, CJ ENM) achieved his dream of becoming a Paralympian.
Kim Yong-gi completed the 14.1 km course with a time of 29 minutes 41.83 seconds in the T1-2 sports class of the men’s time trial road cycling event held in Clichy-sous-Bois, France on the 4th (Korean time). Kim Yong-gi, who received a factor (time adjustment according to disability grade) for the T1 class with a more severe disability, finished with a final time of 25 minutes 58.03 seconds, ranking 10th out of 12 participants.
Kim Yong-gi rides a tricycle, which is used by athletes who have difficulty controlling their bodies. It has one wheel in the front and two wheels in the back. Kim Yong-gi, who narrowly missed out on a ticket to the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, dramatically arrived in Paris after winning a Paralympic quota at the end.
He made history by becoming the first Korean tricycle athlete to compete in the Paralympics.
Kim Yong-gi ran the early race vigorously with non-disabled coach Shin Ik-hee. In the lowest disability categories, athletes can be protected by vehicles or have pacemakers run alongside them. Although he ran alone in the latter half, he pedaled as hard as he could until the end.
Kim Yong-gi suffered from brain damage right after birth. He fell during the summer vacation of his 4th year of elementary school, and his willpower was so strong that he learned how to ride a two-wheeled bicycle after falling.
He entered Nazareth University through the GED exam in his late 20s, and while doing rehabilitation exercises, he came across cycling. And when he turned 40, he finally participated in the Paralympics.
After finishing the race, his face was covered in sweat. His disability was so severe that he could not even drink water on his own, and his mouth was very dry. However, he bravely rode his bike and responded to the interview.
Kim Yong-gi, who had difficulty communicating, expressed his feelings through coach Lee Young-joo. Kim Yong-gi said, “I said I did my best. It would be nice if I got a good ranking, but I am satisfied with completing the first game.”
Director Lee Young-joo said, “I had high expectations for the Paralympics, and I was disappointed that I couldn’t compete in Tokyo. I ran well, but the world’s wall seems high.”
It’s not the end. There are still seven individual road races left. There is also a possibility that it will be included as an official event at the 2026 Nagoya-Aichi Asian Para Games.
Coach Lee Young-joo said, “He has the most severe disability among players of the same level. I hope that many players will be discovered through this Paralympic Games. Kim Yong-gi will be a pioneer and be able to pass on his know-how to younger players. He can also challenge for the Asian Games in two years.” Kim Yong-gi answered, “Yes,” to the question, “Will you participate in the next Paralympic Games?”
[클리시 수 부아=공동취재단]
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2024-09-05 07:30:38