South Korea's Para-Athletes Target Gold and Break Barriers Ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games

Summary South Korea's national para-athletes have officially launched their campaign for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, following an inspiring team launch ceremony filled with heartfelt stories of perseverance and family bonds. Coming right on the heels of the main Asian Games, South Korea is sending a delegation of 214 athletes across all 18 sports, determined to keep national pride high and raise the Taegeukgi once more in Nagoya. Among the standout athletes is track star Jang Min-ho, who made history by becoming the first Korean competitor to qualify and participate consecutively in both the able-bodied Asian Games and the Asian Para Games. Despite facing retinitis pigmentosa—a progressive genetic disorder that gradually narrows one's field of vision—Jang pushed through adverse conditions in his prior races and has now set his sights on breaking records. Jang shared his hope of becoming a beacon of inspiration for others living with disabilities. The delegation also features wheelchair fencer Kwon Hyo-kyeong, eager to build upon the triumphant momentum of Korea's dominant national fencing squad—famously nicknamed the "Fencers" or "Avengers" of the pistes—to capture gold. Meanwhile, in boccia, two-time Paralympic gold medalist Choi Ye-jin prepares for an emotional milestone. Her mother, Moon Woo-young, who has dedicated over twenty years as her on-court sports partner, is competing by her side for their final "last game" together before stepping aside due to her age, aiming to cap their decades-long journey with a golden finish. In South Korean sports culture, sending off national squads at an official resolution ceremony (gyeol-dan-sik) serves as a powerful ritual of unity, where rallying cries of "Daehanminguk Fighting!" echo across the nation. For these para-athletes, the upcoming competition in Japan represents not just an athletic challenge, but an emotional platform to showcase resilience, lifelong family devotion, and sportsmanship on the continental stage.