The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games ended on Sept. 19. Parathletes from around the world touched the hearts of millions of viewers with their efforts to overcome their limits, both physical and mental. Team Korea put up a good fight, too, and clinched seven gold medals, 11 silver medals and 17 bronze medals.

Kim Gyu-dae was one of the medal-winners on Team Korea. Kim won a bronze medal in the men's T54 marathon on the final day of the Games, setting a time of 1 hour 30 minutes 8 seconds. The medal was invaluable due to a competition that took place the day before.

In the 1,600-meter relay on Sept. 18, the Korean quartet of Kim Gyu-dae, Hong Seok-man, Jeong Dong-ho and You Byeong-hoon reached the finish line in third place, but the game had to be replayed due to a judging error. However, in the re-match, they were disqualified for touching, and Canada claimed the bronze.

Kim came in fourth in the 800-meter race, but he was able to clinch the bronze as a player ahead of him was disqualified.

Kim Gyu-dae applied for the Korean navy's Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) during his college years, but was injured while parachuting in 2004, paralyzing his lower body. When he was undergoing rehabilitation, he came across a TV program that showed the wheelchair marathon and that was the start of his athletic career.

Physical disabilities didn't limit his dreams or his passion. Kim, who must overcome his physical limits every time he trains, continues with his dreams and passion for studying.

Kim flew to the U.S. to transfer to the astronomy department at the University of Illinois in 2012. He said, "I will focus on studying rather than sports after these Paralympics Games. I want to either seek a career in astronomy or run for election as a member of the International Paralympics Committee."

By Yoon Ji-hye
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photo: Yonhap News
wisdom117@korea.kr