Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young (center) on Feb. 2 poses for photos with Lee Yong-seok (left), a member of the wheelchair curling mixed doubles team, and Nordic skier Kim Yun-ji at the athletes' launch ceremony for the Milan Cortina Winter Paralympics at Olympia Hall of Olympic Parktel in Seoul's Songpa-gu District. (Lee Jeongwoo)

By Hong Angie

Even before the emotional afterglow has faded from the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, the world's eyes have again turned to Italy.

The Winter Paralympics opening on March 6 at Verona Arena in Verona will showcase the ultimate challenge of disabled people exceeding their limitations.

Through March 15, 665 competitors from about 50 countries will compete in the 10-day tournament for 79 gold medals. Team Korea, comprising 20 athletes and 36 coaches, will compete in five sports including alpine and cross-country skiing and the biathlon.

The country's goal is a top 20 finish with one gold and one bronze. Korea's best performance in a Winter Paralympics was on home soil at the 2018 competition in Pyeongchang-gun County, Gangwon-do Province, where it claimed 16th place with one gold and two bronze.

Nordic skier Kim Yun-ji (left), Alpine skier Choi Sara (center) and Choi's guide Eo Eun-mi (Korea Paralympic Committee)

Korea's medal prospects are bright. Nordic skier Kim Yunji is considered a strong contender after consecutive first-place finishes at the World Cup mass start and biathlon sprint. Other potential medalists include the wheelchair curling mixed doubles pair of Lee Yongsuk and Baek Hyejin, who are firmly atop the world rankings.

Nicknamed the "Hero of PyeongChang," cross-country skier Shin Eui Hyun is expected to play a key role in inspiring Korea to success as a strong medal contender. At PyeongChang 2018, he won Korea's first gold (7.5-km sitting) and bronze (15-km sitting) in a Winter Paralympics.

Choi Sara, the world No. 3 in alpine skiing, is also eyeing a medal. The visually disabled athlete will be assisted by guide Eo Eun-mi.

Lee Yongsuk (left) and Baek Hyejin form the world's top-ranked mixed doubles pair in wheelchair curling. (Korea Paralympic Committee)

"Riding the momentum of the Winter Olympics, Team Korea is again ready to make history in challenges and emotions on the world stage," Korea Paralympic Committee (KPC) President Jung Jin-owan said. "I ask for the people's enthusiastic support for the our heroes' upcoming matches."

At Paris 2024, Korea won six gold, 10 silver and 14 bronze to finish 22nd overall. Building on the momentum of victory that began in the French capital, the national team is determined to do the same on the snowy fields of Milan.

The public network KBS will air the games. Event schedules and broadcasts are available on the KPC website, official social media channels and the digital magazine Abilive.

shong9412@korea.kr