The 104th National Sports Festival Closes... Jeonbuk Team Wins 43 Gold Medals, Ranks 13th Overall

Bicycle Rider Na Areum Wins 4 Titles... Overall 1st Place in Triathlon

Hammer Thrower Kim Taehee, Swimmers Shin Somang and Han Dakyung Set Tournament Records

The 104th National Sports Festival, held across Jeollanam-do with Mokpo City as the center since the 13th, concluded on the 19th. The Jeonbuk delegation finished the competition in 13th place overall, one rank higher than last year, with 43 gold medals.

According to the Jeonbuk Sports Council (Chairman Jeong Gang-seon) on the 19th, the Jeonbuk team earned a total of 168 medals, including 43 gold, 48 silver, and 77 bronze, elevating the honor of Jeonbuk sports. A total of 1,712 athletes and officials participated in the event, competing with the pride of Jeonbuk sports and setting numerous records and multiple championship titles.

On the 19th, the Jeonbuk team at the 104th National Sports Festival.
[Photo by Jeonbuk Sports Council]

Kim Tae-hee (Iri Technical High School), who won a bronze medal in hammer throw at the Hangzhou Asian Games, set a new tournament record by throwing 60.22 meters.

In athletics, Shin So-mang (Iksan City Hall) set a new tournament record in the 1500m, and in swimming, Han Da-gyeong (Jeonbuk Sports Council) set a new tournament record in the 800m freestyle, further enhancing the prestige of Jeonbuk sports.

In cycling, Na Areum (Samyangsa) achieved a remarkable feat by winning four gold medals, while weightlifter Yoo Dong-ju (Jinan County Office) and cyclists Song Min-ji and Lee Eun-hee (Samyangsa) each secured three gold medals.

Double gold medalists included swimmers Kim Hye-jin and Han Da-gyeong (Jeonbuk Sports Council), cyclist Lee Joo-hee (Samyangsa), wrestler Kim Do-hyeong (Jeonbuk Sports High School), triathlete Kim Ji-hwan (Jeonbuk Sports Council), athlete Shin So-mang, weightlifter Yoo Hye-bin (Jeonbuk Sports High School), and gymnast Lee Junho (Jeonbuk Provincial Office).

Athlete Yoo Gyu-min (Iksan City Hall), archer Yoo Seul-ha (Jeonbuk Sports High School), soft tennis player Lee Hee-seong (Kunsan National University), wrestler Choi Jae-no (Jeonbuk Sports High School), and kendo (Jeonbuk selection) also won gold medals.

The triathlon team claimed first place overall in their discipline, achieving back-to-back championships following last year, while soft tennis secured second place overall.

Athletics (field events), cycling, kendo, dance sports, and baduk ranked third overall in their respective disciplines.

Although the Jeonbuk team performed well in the competition, they unfortunately showed weaker results in team events with relatively higher scores and some weight class categories.

To improve athletes' performance during the competition, the provincial sports council dispatched athletic trainers (AT instructors) and researchers from the Jeonbuk Sports Science Center to provide close support on-site.

Jeong Gang-seon, chairman of the Jeonbuk Sports Council and head of the Jeonbuk delegation, along with veteran sports figures (advisors) and officials, visited various venues to encourage and support athletes and coaches.

The provincial sports council plans to thoroughly analyze the results of this sports festival and strengthen collaboration with related organizations such as Jeonbuk Province, Jeonbuk Office of Education, and sports associations to develop strategies for improving athletic performance.

Additionally, to strengthen sports, they plan to focus on securing outstanding athletes and establishing school sports teams and corporate teams to minimize the number of events without participants.

Chairman Jeong Gang-seon said, "I am proud and grateful to the athletes who represented Jeonbuk and gave their best until the end. Although the results leave some regrets, we will strive to advance Jeonbuk sports step by step."