Hello, Paralympic track!' Track and field legend Yoo Byung-hoon's last track relay, closing in 7th place in 800m

Sep 06, 2024

Yoo Byung-hoon is racing with all his might in the men's 800m track and field (T53) at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Paris, France, early on the 6th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

'The Paralympic track, it's time to say goodbye'

Yoo Byung-hoon (52, Gyeongbuk Sports Council for the Disabled), a Korean wheelchair track and field legend, rolled the wheel vigorously until the last moment when he crossed the finish line. It was his last Paralympic Trek race.

It would have been better to try the medal, but the record gap with the other competitors was remarkable in the first place. Still, I couldn't stop running. It was a farewell to the Paralympic track, which was her fifth appearance since the 2008 Beijing Games.

Yoo Byung-hoon crossed the finish line in the men's 800m (sports grade T53) final at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Stade de France, France, early on the 6th (Korea time). The ranking was seventh.

Yoo Byung-hoon's personal best in the 800m was 1:38:36. And his personal best in the season was 1:42.40. It ranks seventh among the eight finalists. Even in the actual final race, this record difference could not be changed. It was a little backward from the start. Compared to his competitors, he couldn't push the wheel powerfully. Yoo, however, succeeded in beating Turkiye's Mohamed Nidal Kelli-Fi by circling the first curved state. Yoo Byung-hoon chased down the sixth-place group to the chin in the straight section and sought to come from behind in the second curve.

However, the gap has rarely narrowed. In the end, Yoo finished the race in seventh place. First place was Brent Lacatos (1:37.32), the world record holder in the 800m. Thailand's Ponsakon Fayo won the silver medal with a time of 1:38.26 as a result of a fierce second-place fight, and third place was up to Brian Schiemann of the United States (1:38:44).

Yoo Byung-hoon is regretful after running in the men's 800m track and field (T53) at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Paris, France, early on the 6th (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

With this, Yoo Byung-hoon said goodbye to the Paralympic Trek race, which he has been participating in for 16 years since the 2008 Beijing Games.

"I have nothing to say," he said in the post-match joint coverage areaHe left only the words ". Jang Sung-joon, head coach of the track and field team, said, `Yoo Byung-hoon has been training well since February while taking good care of his body. But I don't think it was right. So I think I'm very disappointed because the record came out less (than I expected) and I felt a bit disappointed myself.

Although the track race is over, Yoo Byung-hoon's Paralympics is not over yet. Yoo Byung-hoon will compete in the men's marathon (T54), which will be held on the afternoon of the 8th, the last day of the competition, and burn his last fighting spirit on the Paralympic stage.

wman@sportschosun.com