'Faker of the Boccian world' Jung Ho-won seems to have won two awards. He advanced to the final of the mixed race with Kang Sun-hee. a showdown with Hong Kong

Sep 05, 2024

Jung Ho-won carefully calculates the direction of the pitch in the 2024 Paris Paralympic Boccia Mixed Fair semifinal match against Argentina held early on the 5th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

There is a possibility that a second 'two gold medals' will be born in the South Korean team that participated in the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Jung Ho-won (38, Gangwon-do Provincial Sports Council for the Disabled), who won the gold medal in the Paralympic individual competition, secured a silver medal by reaching the final of the Boccia Mixed Fair (Sports Grade BC3), paired with Kang Sun-hee (47, KEPCO KPS), a bronze medalist in the individual competition.

Jung Ho-won and Kang Sun-hee beat Argentina's Stefania Ferrando-Rodrigo Romero in the semifinals at South Paris Arena 1 in Paris, France, 4-2 (3-0-1 1-0-1) on the 5th (Korea time). Jung Ho-won and Kang Sun-hee, who reached the final, will challenge Hong Kong for the gold medal at 4 a.m. on the 6th (Korea time). If he wins a gold medal here, Jung Ho-won can win two gold medals (individual, pair).

Kang Sun-hee is adjusting the angle of the groove with her match partner Park Se-yeol for an accurate pitch in the semifinal match of the Boccia Mixed Fair at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games held in the early morning of the 5th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Each other made mistakes, but luck headed to Jung Ho-won and Kang Sun-hee's group at a critical moment. In the first end, South Korea made a mistake in the beginning and consumed three balls. In Boccia, the one that rolls six colored balls (red and blue) to place them closer to the white target on the field will win the point. The side that is far from the target ball continues to pitch.

It became an unfavorable situation with only three balls left in the group of Jung Ho-won and Kang Sun-hee. However, Argentina continued to make mistakes and lost an advantage. In the end, Jung Ho-won and Kang Sun-hee scored three points in the first end.

The second end was a crisis. Kang Sun-hee's wheelchair rear wheel touched the sideline. The game was suspended for a while. The referee discussed whether to contact the sideline and eventually decided on a penalty.

After proceeding with the end normally, the opponent team is given a chance to play a penalty ball. After the end, one more ball is given to the opponent team that committed the penalty, allowing them to pitch inside the area marked in the center of the court. If the ball precisely enters the area, an additional one point is given.

The judges measure the distance between the target and the color ball in the semi-finals of the Boccia Mixed Fair at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

But Argentina didn't succeed in this penalty ball. In football, it's like missing a penalty chance. In the end, Argentina won only one point instead of two points in the second end.

In the third end, Jung Ho-won's calm response shone. When South Korea's 3rd, 4th and 5th pitches were all missed by a mistake, Jung Ho-won rolled the last 6th pitch for defensive purposes. A strategy to prevent a large number of runs by putting them in front of the target ball like a wall. This has had a great effect. Argentina had three balls, but was unable to pitch properly because of the ball thrown by Jung Ho-won. Rather, he pushed Korea's ball closer. South Korea rather scored one point to make it 4-1. The fourth end came off without a hitch. Korea finished with just one run.

After the match, Jung Ho-won vowed that `It was a game with many mistakes, but I think heaven helped' and"I will calm down and win the gold medal in the final.' Partner Kang Sun-hee also said, `I'll think it's sold out.' `I'm going to go all the way to the finals at the first Paralympics, and I won't miss the opportunity to win a gold medal."

wman@sportschosun.com