The 105th National Sports Festival Opens in Gimhae ... Seven-Day Grand Event Begins

The 105th National Sports Festival opened at 5 p.m. on the 11th at the main venue, Gimhae Sports Complex in Gyeongnam.

The National Sports Festival, held in Gyeongnam for the first time in 14 years, kicked off with an air show by the Air Force Black Eagles.

The athletes and delegations participating in the 105th National Sports Festival are entering the stadium.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

The opening ceremony, under the theme "From Space to Space: The Flame of Harmony," officially began after a countdown using an ultra-large LED screen measuring 220 meters in width, followed by the appearance of a meteorite that fell from space to Hapcheon, Gyeongnam 50,000 years ago, emitting flames on the screen.

Sports heroes from Gyeongnam, such as Park Seongsu, head coach of the men's archery national team for the Paris Olympics, and Kim Mijeong, head coach of the women's judo national team for the Paris Olympics, led the flag-bearing team. Kim Byungji, CEO of Gangwon FC, participated as the reader of the pledge to the national flag.

Captain Um Honggil and Professor Jeong Kyungnam of the Department of Aircraft Maintenance at Gyeongnam Provincial Namhae College are running together holding the torch of the 105th National Sports Festival.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall]

The subsequent themed performance, "The Flame of Harmony, Into the Sky of the Future," unfolded in five acts: ▲The Land Embracing the Light of the Universe ▲The Flame of Passion, Millennium Civilization ▲Beyond the Sea of Trials and Challenges ▲The Road Opened Again to Space ▲Torch Lighting: The Flame of Harmony, Into the Sky of the Future.

The performance depicted the journey of Gyeongsangnam-do from its beginnings in the rich natural environment to the present, and conveyed dreams and visions for space aviation and future industries through video, percussion, and dance.

Yeominji, the final torchbearer of the 105th National Sports Festival opening ceremony, and the soccer team players of Jinju Girls' Middle School are holding the torch.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]

The torch entered the stadium with Park Taejun, taekwondo gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, and was handed over to Um Honggil, the first person in the world to climb all 16 Himalayan peaks, who is from Goseong, Gyeongnam, and Professor Jeong Gyeongnam of the Department of Aviation Maintenance at Gyeongnam Provincial Namhae College, a master craftsman in aviation in Korea.

Soon after, Yoo Wonchul, silver medalist in gymnastics at the Beijing Olympics and also from Goseong, Gyeongnam, received the torch, which was then delivered to Yeo Minji, the U-17 Women's World Cup MVP from Gimhae, Gyeongnam, and to the girls' soccer team of Jinju Middle School, representing the future of women's soccer in Gyeongnam.

The opening ceremony of the 105th National Sports Festival was held at Gimhae Sports Complex in Gyeongnam.
[Photo by Gimhae City Hall]

Afterwards, about 800 drones appeared in the night sky like a shower of stars, depicting an astronaut receiving the torch.

When the astronaut formed by drones lit the cauldron, fireworks erupted and the festival flame was ignited, concluding the lighting ceremony with a grand chorus of over 300 people, including the provincial choir. The celebration continued with performances by singers Jang Yoonjeong, Kim Dahyun, Song Siljang, Kim Heejae, and Harmonize.

The opening ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Miran, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee Lee Keeheung, Gyeongnam Governor Park Wansu, Gimhae Mayor Hong Taeyong, athletes and officials from cities and provinces, members of the National Assembly, and about 14,000 citizens.

This year’s festival will be held until the 17th, mainly at Gimhae Sports Complex and 75 venues across the province.

A total of 28,153 athletes from 17 cities and provinces nationwide and 1,478 athletes from 18 overseas Korean teams will compete in 49 sports, including athletics, swimming, gymnastics, archery, shooting, weightlifting, fencing, table tennis, handball, and taekwondo.