The point where 'belief' and 'belief' meet, and there was the achievement of 'Boccia'10th consecutive Paralympic gold medal'.

Sep 03, 2024

Boccia coach Lim Kwang-taek and coach Kim Seung-gyeom rinse off Jung Ho-won, who won the gold medal in the Boccia individual match held at Erana 1 in South Paris, France, early on the 3rd (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Jung Ho-won, who competed in the men's singles in Boccia at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, pushes the ball in the gutter with a door pointer. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

"Our captain solved it."

Lim Kwang-taek, coach of the Boccia national team at the Paralympics, continued "Good. I feel relieved. My frustrated heart was relieved." Two previous finals losses. The Paralympic stage did not easily open up the achievements of the '10 consecutive gold medals' in Boccia, South Korea. "It's a bit of a bummer, but it's okay. It'll be out soon." Coach Lim spoke calmly whenever Jung So-young and Jung Sung-joon each collapsed in the final of the Boccia men's and women's individual competitions. However, contrary to the outward expression, the deep part of my heart was only bruised. Worries were encroaching on coach Lim Kwang-taek's mind whether he would stay in the silver medal like this.

But there was still a ray of hope. Captain and ace of the Korean Boccia team. Jung Ho-won, who has won eight gold medals at the World Championship, the Asian Games for the Disabled, and the previous Paralympics, has been the last stem of hope that coach Lim believes in.

Coach Kim Seung-gyeom, Jung Ho-won, and Lim Kwang-taek (from left) are responding to the cheers of the crowd with Taegeukgi after winning the gold medal in the men's singles final in Boccia at South Paris Arena 1 in Paris, France, early on the 3rd (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

The belief eventually worked. In the final of the Boccia Men's Individual Competition (Sports Grade BC3) held at South Arena 1 in Paris, France, at the dawn of the 3rd (Korea Standard Time), Jung Ho-won beat Australia's Daniel Michel by a combined score of 5-2 (3-0 1-00-2 1-0) at the 4th end and achieved the much-cherished feat of '10 consecutive gold medals at the Korean Boccia Paralympics'.

As soon as the gold medal was confirmed, coach Lim Kwang-taek of the Boccia national team, who shouted fighting outside the stadium, and coach Kim Seung-gyeom, who was next to Jung Ho-won as a match partner, could not hide their joy. As soon as Jung Ho-won finished the stadium ceremony wearing the Korean national flag, he lifted Jung Ho-won out of his wheelchair and rinsed him. Coach Lim and coach Kim rolled to the side holding Jung Ho-won, perhaps because they were struggling after rinsing your turn. The three hugged on the floor as they were and rejoiced like children.

Following Cho Jung-du (P1 men's 10m air pistol sports grade SH1) and Park Jin-ho (R1 men's 10m air rifle sports grade SH1, shooting above), the Korean team won the third gold medal at the Paris Paralympics. Joy couldn't help but be left behind.

Jung Ho-won (right) of the 'Boccian Faker' who competed in the men's singles at the 2024 Paris Paralympics is staring at the target in front with the help of his match partner Kim Seung-gyeom. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Jung Ho-won (left), who won the gold medal in the men's singles in Boccia at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is taking a commemorative photo with his gold medal around his neck with his match partner and national team coach Kim Seung-gyeom. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Above all, coach Lim, coach Kim, and Jung Ho-won's heart was stirred by the fact that they overcame the continuous frustration of the finals. South Korea's Boccia has won its first gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Paralympics, and has continued its nine-game gold medal streak until the 2020 Tokyo Games.

Jung Ho-won has a large stake among them. Three gold medals in pairs at the 2008 Beijing Games, individual at the 2016 Rio Games and pairs at the 2020 Tokyo Games. Since Boccia has won a total of 10 gold medals in nine Paralympics so far, Jung Ho-won was alone in charge of 30%. Added another gold medal to this.

However, Jung Ho-won, who created this Great Achievement, cited the comfort of coach Lim and other coaching staff as the driving force behind winning the gold medal. The coaching staff held on tightly to Jung Ho-won, who almost collapsed due to the pressure, and made him focus on the game again. "Honestly, it's because I didn't say anything, but I felt a lot of pressure for the gold medal," Jung Ho-won said. "Coach Kim worked hard by experimenting next to him and developing (Boccia gothong). Thanks to this, his performance improved, and this year, again 'Boccia is fun' came to think about it."

Lim Kwang-tae, head coach of the Boccia national team, warmly hugs Jung Ho-won, who won the gold medal in the men's singles at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, in the mixed zone. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Jung Ho-won (left), who won the gold medal in the men's singles in Boccia at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is whispering his gratitude to Lim Kwang-taek, the national team coach who gave him a warm hug in the mixed zone. Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Jung Ho-won then shared a deep hug with coach Lim while escaping from the mixed zone to the locker room. Coach Lim first approached Jung Ho-won, who achieved great achievements, and gave him a warm hug, saying, `Well done.' At that moment, Jung Ho-won said to Lim's ear, "Thank you for believing me." Coach Lim said, `I believed that the captain of the national team, Jeong Ho-won, would solve it for sure. You responded to my belief. Rather, I thanked him, and once again embraced Jung Ho-won.

Between Jung Ho-won, Lim Kwang-taek, and Kim Seung-gyeom, there was a strong link of faith between coach Chung Ho-won, coach Lim Kwang-taek, and coach Kim Seung-gyeom, such as 'You can do it' and 'Thanks to you, I can do it'. If it wasn't for that belief, Jung Ho-won would have sat back at the last minute like the other two players.

However, Jung Ho-won overcame the shaking and displayed his best skills. And thanks to this, the title '10 consecutive 金' at the Boccia Paralympics was born. At the intersection of firm belief and belief in each other, the prestige of 'Boccia's strongest power' was born.

wman@sportschosun.com