Kim Hwang-tae, The Armless Iron Man

Kim Hwang-tae, The Armless Iron Man, "Disabled People, Come Out into the World"

A triathlete who challenges human limits... Running towards the Paris Paralympic Games, swimming and cycling without arms... “Nothing is impossible”

Triathlon is a sport that challenges human limits.

It is called the ‘Triathlon’ because it requires running three events that require tremendous physical strength: marathon, cycling, and swimming.

There are disabled athletes who take on the challenge of this sport, which is difficult to compete in even with a healthy body.

Kim Hwang-tae (47, Incheon Sports Association for the Disabled), who has both arms amputated, is the protagonist. 카지노사이트탑

‘Iron Man’ Kim Hwang-tae lost both arms in 2000.

He had to have both of his arms amputated after being electrocuted by a high-voltage line while working on laying down power lines.

Kim Hwang-tae became severely disabled overnight.

In a phone interview with Yonhap News on the 19th, a day before the Day of the Disabled, Kim Hwang-tae said, "I lived in despair for a year after the accident," and "I drank almost every day."

His body and mind rapidly collapsed.

His weight gained 20 kg.

Life has become impoverished.

One day, Hwang-tae Kim thought that he should not live like this.

Then he started running recklessly.

At first, he found it difficult to bear the stares of those around him.

However, Kim Hwang-tae gritted his teeth and ran.

His running distance grew slightly longer every day.

And the once disconnected society became closer.

Kim Hwang-tae first completed the full 42.195km marathon course in 2002, two years after he started running.

He felt like he had done it.

Kim Hwang-tae's life began to change.

Kim Hwang-tae began his full-fledged career as a player.

In 2015, he ran a time of 2 hours, 55 minutes and 19 seconds.

As time shortened, his dream came true.

Kim Hwang-tae set a goal to compete in the Paralympic Games, a dream stage where the world's best disabled athletes compete.

He tried Nordic skiing to compete in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympics, and took up taekwondo instead of the highly competitive marathon ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Paralympics.

But no luck.

Unfortunately, he missed out on the opportunity to participate in the Paralympic Games due to a ruptured knee cruciate ligament at the Pyeongchang Games and because Kim Hwang-tae's disability level (PTS3: Serious Muscle Damage and Amputation) category was not adopted at the Tokyo Games.

However, Hwangtae Kim did not give up.

He decided to change his mind after hearing that the triathlon PTS3 class could be adopted as an official event at the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympic Games.

It was not an easy challenge.

He said, “After the accident, I never rode a cycle, and the only swimming I did was briefly indoors for rehabilitation purposes.

But I wanted to overcome my fear and jump into a new world.”

The disabled triathlon involves swimming 750 meters, cycling 20 km, and running a marathon 5 km.

Kim Hwang-tae said, “At first, it was difficult to even breathe when swimming,” and “I tended to drink a lot of water, especially because of the waves.”

But it wasn't impossible.

I improved his swimming skills by kicking his feet vigorously and lifting his head as he breathed.

Cycling was a struggle with fear.

Double-arm amputees drive with prosthetic hands, but accidents often occur because they have difficulty maintaining balance.

He said, "At first, it was difficult to keep my balance, so I fell a lot.

I thought about the accident and was very scared.

But I pedaled with the thought that I had to overcome it no matter what."

Kim Hwang-tae suffered two serious falling accidents.

He even fainted once.

However, Kim Hwang-tae won the fight against fear.

Kim Hwang-tae's 'victory' had the help of his wife, Kim Jin-hee.

Jinhee Kim accompanied Hwangtae Kim to every training and competition he participated in and became his two arms.

Kim Hwang-tae said, “It is difficult to live a daily life without my wife. I have to change my competition clothes and wear equipment in between races, and my wife helps me through all of this.”

Hwangtae Kim dreams of competing in this year's Paris Paralympic Games and giving his wife a medal.

It's not easy.

To qualify for the Paris Paralympic Games, he must be in the top nine of his class and accumulate a large number of ranking points in international competitions by June 30.

Kim Hwang-tae said, “Nothing is impossible,” and “I will run and run towards my dream as I have done so far.”

He also said that he had something to say to people with disabilities on the Day of the Disabled.

“Everyone, overcome your fears and come out into the world.

The world is warmer and happier than you think”