Sara, the youngest to finish her first Paralympic Games, her next goal is a medal

11th and 10th in alpine skiing blind competition

Paralympic Joint Investigation Foundation = Sara Choi (19, Seoul Paralympic Ski Association), the youngest national representative of the Korean delegation of the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games, finished her first Paralympic Games in her life.

Sara Choi recorded a total of 1:49.37 in the first and second rounds of the women’s alpine skiing blindness division at the Beijing Winter Paralympic Games held at the Yanqing National Alpine Ski Center in Beijing on the 12th, 10 out of 11 (four disqualified) finishers. climbed on top

Sara Choi crossed the finish line in 55.33 seconds in the first round.

Two of them were disqualified in the first round, and they placed 12th out of 13 who finished the race.

In the second period, he recorded a slightly faster time of 54.04 and finished 10th.

It is ranked 11th in the second season only.

Sara Choi, who was born in 2003, was unable to compete in the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Paralympic Games due to age restrictions.

However, as a demonstration athlete, he sprinted on the Paralympic alpine skiing course and dreamed of going to the Beijing stage four years later.

It was also expected that it would be able to win a medal in Beijing due to its rapid growth.

He won two gold medals in the slalom and competition events at the 2019 World Para Alpine Skiing Championships in Bach, France, and two bronze medals at the Lillehammer World Championships in Norway in January of this year.

However, the expected Paralympic medal did not come out.

Sara Choi placed 11th in the tournament held on the 11th.

Still, he succeeded in completing both events and 4 races.

After finishing the slalom, Choi Sara said, “It was my first Paralympic Games, so I was nervous.

Still, I think I was a little less nervous than yesterday (which was the first race).”

Guide runner Kim Yoo-seong, who ran with Choi Sara, said, “Yesterday, Choi Sara was very nervous.

He said, “I feel a lot more relaxed today,” he said.

When asked if there was any disappointment, Choi Sara said, “I was able to ride better in the first game, but it’s a pity that I couldn’t do it because I was nervous. said.

Sara Choi’s journey to participating in this competition was not smooth.

Kim Yu-seong, a guide runner who has been working with her for over a year and a half since June 2020, was diagnosed with COVID-19 on the 21st of last month, four days before her departure from Beijing.

In the alpine skiing visually impaired category, a team with a disabled athlete and a non-disabled guide runner form a team to compete, so the pair’s breathing is very important.

The guide runner descends the slope ahead of the athlete and communicates terrain changes and crisis situations to the athlete through a Bluetooth microphone.

Fortunately, Kim Yu-seong, a guide runner, was cured and entered Beijing on the 4th, and ran along the snowy field with Choi Sara.

Sara Choi said, “I was very worried that the guide runner might not be able to come.

Fortunately, I am very happy to be able to play with him in Beijing.”

Guide runner Kim Yu-seong also said, “I practiced and exercised a lot with the goal of Beijing, but I am proud to be able to finish the race without getting hurt.”

At the first Paralympic Games, Choi Sa-ra said, “It was amazing because there were so many spectators.” She also received a lot of support from her twin sister, Choi Gil-la.

Although now retired, his younger brother Gil-La Choi, who is also blind, played as an alpine skier.

Sara Choi said, “My younger brother encouraged me to do my best through text messages and phone calls.

He also commented on the live broadcast,” he smiled.

Sara Choi’s dream of competing with world-class athletes on her Paralympic debut stage grew bigger.

At the next Paralympic Games, I am determined to hold a medal in my arms.

Sara Choi said, “Coming out in the first Paralympic Games is an experience.

There are many players who ride better than me.

I will work harder and try to ride better than those athletes,” he said.

It was a shy tone, but it was a bold ambition.

/yunhap news