'#3 #Missing #Sweet' Rowing ace Kim Se-jung finally made it to the finals

Sep 01, 2024

Kim Se-jung, who competed in the 2000m women's single scull (PR1 W1x) rowing at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, smiles brightly after the event. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

If you row without giving up, a new destination is approaching. The key is patience.

Kim Se-jung (48, Lotte Chemical), the ace in rowing for the disabled in Korea, continued to row patiently. And we finally reached the destination of ' advance to the final round'. It was a persistent challenge over three Paralympics in eight years. The fruit of the successful run to the Paralympic finals after three moves. Kim's dream was sweet and young.

Kim finally made it to the final round in Paralympic rowing. Kim Se-jung clocked 10:52.23 in the women's single scull (PR1 W1x) 2000m consolation match at the 2024 Paris Paralympics at Stade Notique in Berthir Marlin, France, on the 1st (Korea time), ranking second among five. Kim Se-jeong made it to the finals.

Kim Se-jung, who competed in the 2000m women's single scull (PR1 W1x) rowing at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is rowing vigorously. Provided by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Kim Se-jung, who competed in the 2000m women's single scull (PR1 W1x) rowing at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is pulling her oars with all her might. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

In the rowing game of the Paris Paralympics, the first place in the group qualifying round will go straight to the final round. The rest of the players will be divided into two groups for a consolation match. The top two in the group will be awarded a final ticket. Eventually, Kim Se-jung advanced to the final round with six players through a consolation match. It is the second achievement in the history of Korean Paralympic sport and the first time for a woman to advance to the Paralympic rowing final. At the 2012 London Games, Park Joon-ha succeeded in advancing to the finals for the first time in history by ranking fifth in men's singles. Kim Se-jung made the final 12 years after Park Joon-ha.

Kim Se-jung, who suffered a spinal cord disorder in a car accident in 2004 when she was a college student, started rehabilitation exercises after two years of hospital treatment. I started rowing in 2009. He was in his 30s. However, his skills improved as much as he pulled his oars. She made her first Paralympic debut in seven years. Kim Se-jung's first performance at the 2016 Rio Paralympics was 8th.

Kim Se-jung, who has since emerged as a 'coordination ace', rose one notch to seventh place at the 2020 Tokyo Games. However, this time again, he failed to achieve his dream of going to the finals. Still, Kim Se-jeong didn't give up. Even in his 40s, he was still confident in his physical strength.

Kim Se-jung, who finished the women's single scull (PR1 W1x) 2000m race at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is struggling to breathe. Provided by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Kim finally made it to the Paris Paralympic stage, setting a record for the first Korean to participate in three consecutive Paralympic Games. But there were still unfulfilled goals. It's the final round. This time, I was able to take a step further by steadily pulling the oar. He achieved his goal of reaching the final round of the Paralympics. The finals will begin at 6:10 p.m. on the 1st. Attention is focusing on how far Kim Se-jung's persistent rowing will reach this time.

Meanwhile, Korea, consisting of Choi Sun-wook (28, National Motors), Lee Seung-ho (20, SH Seoul Housing City Corporation), Kang Hyun-joo (25), Bae Ji-in (26, Netmarble), and Seo Ha-kyung (22, Gyeonggi University), recorded 7 minutes and 30 seconds 93 in the mixed Utah Mix4+ loser revival match. He advanced the record by more than 20 seconds from the previous day, beating Spain to fifth place. The national team will play in the 7th to 10th place on the 1st.

wman@sportschosun.com