By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Nicole Lobos from Chile
Photos = Henrik von Appen

The PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games were very popular at the international level. Millions of people around the world tuned in to see the news about their favorite athletes. Even on the other side of the world, Latin America was expecting to see its heroes come home with medals.

Among the 2,925 athletes this year, there were only 33 from Latin America and among them just seven were from Chile. Since Chile is a ridiculously long yet narrow country, compared to Korea, winter is not found easily across the country. Thus the possibility to practice and become a master at winter sports is very low. Participating in the Winter Olympics involved a huge challenge. All Chilean competitors raced at the Alpensia ski area, which was for the snow sports like skiing and snowboarding. This very amazing ski area has similar characteristics to the Andes Mountains, which is where winter sports are often practiced in Chile.

Henrik von Appen was one of those Chilean athletes and the representative holding the flag in the Opening Ceremony. The young super-g, four-time champion in South America participated in the alpine skiing competition at the Winter Olympics in Korea. Unfortunately, his participation this season was complicated due to an injury to his left hand, suffered about two months ago, before the Olympics, during a training event in Italy. It was a shocking injury that provoked the rupture of an artery and a tendon, and even some nerves.





Around three months ago, the possibility of Von Appen appearing in the Winter Olympics was vanishing. The unfortunate accident left him with no sensibility in his fingers for several days, a really big problem. The young, positive Chilean athlete did not give up, however. He received his treatment and made it to the Olympics in Pyeongchang. It should be noted that Von Appen couldn't complete his recovery to participate at his fullest. Instead, during the competition he used an orthosis that protected his hand.

The orthosis was designed by occupational therapist Erick Lobos, who effectively allowed Von Appen to use the ski pole in his now weakened left hand. Designing an orthosis is a very complex procedure that requires specific medical knowledge, but in Chile it's a very common option. This orthosis is fundamental during the competition, specifically during the start, which needs a lot of strength.

Von Appen, whose motto is “work hard until your idols become your rivals,” challenged himself and achieved his personal goal to be in the top 30 this season. He was one of the best skiers among the Chilean competitors, a kind of miracle. Even with his injury not yet completely healed, and knowing about his disadvantage, he did his best and now feels totally satisfied with his participation.

This teaches us that it's always necessary to achieve small goals in life to, someday, be completely ready to reach a big one. Perseverance, hard work and learning from one's mistakes are the most important ingredients in a victory, because at the end success is something personal. Von Appen is now back in Chile and all of Chile is very proud of his performance.

You can watch a video of him here when he was trying on the orthosis.

wisdom117@korea.kr

* This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.