"2028 LA Games, too!" Joo Jung-hoon, who won a 銅 through injury fighting, continues the new history

Sep 01, 2024

Joo Jung-hoon won a bronze medal in the men's 80kg sports grade K44 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Joo Jung-hoon kisses the bronze medal at the award ceremony after winning the bronze medal match at Grand Palais in Paris, France, early on the 1st (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

"I'll try the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028."'

Joo Jung-hoon (30, SK Eco Plant), who wrote a new history of Taekwondo for the disabled in Korea, expressed his will to challenge himself. In order to achieve his dream of winning a gold medal, which he failed to achieve due to injury, he abandoned his retirement.

Joo Jung-hoon's unceasing will to challenge means a new update in Korean taekwondo history. Joo Jung-hoon's footsteps in the history of Taekwondo for the disabled in Korea are clear. He has won his first Paralympic medal in history and his second consecutive Paralympic medal in history. It's a road that no one has ever been to.

The path Joo Jung-hoon will walk in the future will be another history of Korean Taekwondo. Joo will run again toward the brilliant heights of winning three consecutive Paralympic medals and winning the first Paralympic gold medal in history.

Joo Jung-hoon won a bronze medal in the men's 80kg sports grade K44 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. Coach Kim Ye-soo and Joo Jung-hoon cheer with the Korean national flag after winning the bronze medal match at Grand Palais in Paris, France, early on the 1st (Korea time). Presented by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Joo Jung-hoon won the bronze medal by defeating Kazakhstan's Nulan Dombayev 7-1 in the men's 80kg sports grade K44 bronze medal match at the 2024 Paris Paralympics in Grand Palais, Paris, France, early on the 1st (Korean time). Although it did not reach the original goal of 'winning a gold medal', it was still a valuable fruit of winning two consecutive Paralympic bronze medals.

Courtesy of the Korean Sports Council for the Disabled

In fact, if he was in full condition, he could have won a gold medal. Joo Jung-hoon was in good condition ahead of the Paris Paralympics. He seemed to follow the luck of the match as he passed the round of 16 by default. However, he suffered a major injury in his first match against Serbia. Spahich's knee was marked with a left pelvis. The pain was excruciating. It was hard to step properly.

Joo Jung-hoon "The pain was severe. My bones and muscles hurt so much. After that, I kept bumping into the area during the semifinal and bronze medal matches, and it was hard to even walk later"He confessed. In fact, Joo Jung-hoon collapsed after the bronze medal match against Dombayev. The pain was so severe that he stood awkwardly and greeted the crowd, limped off the field after being helped.

Joo Jung-hoon (third left), who won the bronze medal in the men's 88kg taekwondo K44 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is on the podium, helped by other medalists at the ceremony. Photo Sharing Foundation

Joo Jung-hoon (center), who won the bronze medal in the men's 88kg taekwondo K44 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, is on the podium, helped by other medalists at the ceremony. Photo Sharing Foundation

There are people who gave up their shoulders and helped Joo Jung-hoon until the last minute. Until just a few hours ago, they were the opponents who fought with Joo Jung-hoon with all their might. Joo Jung-hoon "They are all competitors in the battle court, but after the game, there is a sense of affection and humanity between taekwondo players."," he said with a bright smile.

In the end, this injury prevented Joo Jung-hoon from going to the final. Ju led 7-0 in the semifinals against Luis Mario Nahera of Mexico. However, the pain became more and more severe, and the legs became difficult to move like a lump of iron. There was still a lot of time left for the game. Time was not on Joo's side. The gap gradually narrowed. After going into extra time, they lost 8-10. Joo Jung-hoon didn't lose to Nahera. I lost to the injury.

The pain and the failure to go to the finals have been pushed back. Joo even thought about giving up his participation in the bronze medal match. It was coach Kim Ye-soo's sharp rebuke that turned Joo Jung-hoon's mind back. Joo Jung-hoon was disappointed because he came from behind while leading a lot in the semi-final against Nahera. After that, I thought I wanted to give up (the bronze medal match) about ninety-nine times, and "The coach next to me at that time 'Don't say anything weak." It's a chance not to come back to life. Get a hold of yourself!He said ' After hearing that, I sat alone in the bathroom and thought about it, and I felt a little better. I never thought about losing in the bronze medal match."

In the end, Joo beat the pain. Dombayev also won. All the players knew Cho Jung-hoon's fighting spirit. Other medalists helped Joo Jung-hoon at the ceremony, including recognition of such fighting spirit.

Jeong Jin-wan, president of the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled (far right), shakes hands after awarding a bronze medal to Joo Jung-hoon, who won the bronze medal in the men's 80kg sports grade K44 at the 2024 Paris Paralympics.Provided by the Korea Sports Council for the Disabled

Joo Jung-hoon "I was originally going to retire after this tournament. However, he decided to continue his challenge until the 2028 LA Games. "Since we have four years left, I want to act a little more adult and lead the juniors who are growing up and win the gold medal. " Finally, Joo Jung-hoon "I want to thank my mother and father who must have watched the game all night."Let's have a good time together and be a good son in the future." he said.

wman@sportschosun.com