The U. S. A. delegation of the Korea Para Sports Association of USA (President Nam Jeong-gil) achieved a remarkable feat by winning its first gold medal since participating in the Korean National Paralympic Games.
The Korean American Paralympic Committee announced that Park Jeong-ho (Texas), representing the North American side at the '46th National Paralympic Games' held in Jeju Special Self-Governing Province from the 11th to the 16th, became a triple gold medalist in swimming. On
the 13th, the third day of the competition, Park Jeong-ho won three gold medals by consecutively sweeping the 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle, and 100m freestyle in the swimming finals. This achievement is the fruit of overcoming the double adversity of a physical disability (having one leg amputated) and a hearing impairment, and it sets a new milestone in the history of Paralympic sports in the North American region.
The Korean American Paralympic Committee dispatched a delegation of 18 people to this competition, including six athletes (Swimming: Gerard McGee, Hwang Jun-tae, Henry Kwon, Park Jung-ho; Bowling: Kevin Kim; Weightlifting: Amy Yoon), as well as officials and guardians.
In addition to Park Jung-ho achieving a triple crown, swimmers Gerard McGee (San Francisco), Henry Kwon (Virginia), and Hwang Jun-tae (New Jersey), as well as bowler Kevin Kim (Virginia) and weightlifter Amy Yoon (Georgia), performed admirably until the end, although they narrowly missed placing in the top ranks.
President Nam Jung-gil expressed his gratitude, stating, "This historic result was made possible thanks to the dedication of the athletes who did their best without giving up despite difficult circumstances, as well as the parents and executives who silently supported them."
Meanwhile, the 46th National Para Games, which served as a venue for fierce competition and harmony among disabled athletes nationwide, successfully concluded its six-day run with a closing ceremony on the 16th.
< Reporter Bae Hee-kyung >
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