The 105th National Sports Festival concluded its grand seven-day journey on the 17th in the evening.
The National Sports Festival, held again in Gyeongnam after 14 years, closed that evening at Gimhae Sports Complex Stadium with about 2,500 participants including athletes and residents of the province.
The Gyeongsangnam-do team ranked 2nd overall at the 105th National Sports Festival. [Photo by Gimhae City Hall]
In this National Sports Festival, Gyeongnam Province ranked 2nd overall with 25 gold medals, 25 silver medals, and 46 bronze medals.
It was also selected as the local government with the most improved performance compared to the previous festival this year, receiving the Achievement Award 1st place.
Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Gyeongnam Education Office (first from the left), Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, Kim Oh-young, Chairman of Gyeongnam Sports Council, and Hong Tae-yong, Mayor of Gimhae, are taking a commemorative photo with Lee Ki-heung, President of the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (center). [Photo by Gimhae City Hall]
Governor Park, Kim Oh-young, President of the Gyeongnam Sports Council, Park Jong-hoon, Superintendent of Gyeongnam Education, and Hong Tae-yong, Mayor of Gimhae, were recognized for their contributions throughout the event and received plaques of appreciation.
Weightlifter Park Joo-hyun (Gyeongnam Sports High School) set a new Korean junior record in the men's under-18 division for snatch, clean and jerk, and total in the 73kg category, and Yoo Soo-bin (Gyeongnam Sports High School) achieved a new tournament record in the women's under-18 division for snatch and total in the 49kg category. In addition, 17 new records were set in roller sports, shooting, and weightlifting.
The Gyeongnam Development Corporation handball team, which advanced to the playoffs for the first time, won its first-ever gold medal, and multiple champions emerged in bowling, squash, and aerobic hip-hop events, achieving the best results in history.
Park Wan-su, Governor of Gyeongnam Province, is delivering a farewell address at the closing ceremony of the 105th National Sports Festival. [Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Government]
Governor Park said in his farewell address, “This National Sports Festival was an exciting competition and a diverse cultural event that harmonized across all 18 cities and counties in the province,” adding, “It was a dynamic festival that vividly showcased the vision of a Korea running together with Gyeongnam.”
“Every moment of the 49 events held at 75 venues was a moving drama where athletes, spectators, and Gyeongnam residents laughed and cried together,” he said. “I hope that the 105th National Sports Festival was a stage of harmony and respect that broke down the solid walls created by generational, political, regional, and social conflicts and divisions.”
Governor Park emphasized, “This National Sports Festival became an opportunity to nationally showcase the mature civic consciousness of Gyeongnam residents,” and expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Korea Sports Council, as well as volunteers, supporters, Mayor Hong Tae-yong of Gimhae, and related officials who meticulously took care of every detail. “The success of the event is thanks to all of you.”
He also said, “I hope the past week in Gyeongnam was a time for athletes to fully demonstrate their honed skills and compete without regrets,” and concluded with, “Please return safely with beautiful memories of Gyeongnam.”
The closing ceremony of the 105th National Sports Festival is being held at Gimhae Sports Complex. [Photo by Gimhae City Hall]
The closing ceremony began with a pre-event performance by the Navy Jinhae Base Command Military Band, followed by the entrance of the athletes, announcement of results and awards, closing remarks by the Korea Sports Council president, handing over of the tournament flag, farewell address by the governor, greetings from the mayor of Gimhae, closing declaration by the superintendent of education, extinguishing of the flame, and congratulatory performances.
Following the National Sports Festival, the 44th National Para Games will be held from the 25th, centered in Gimhae, the main host city, and throughout Gyeongnam Province.
Competitions in 31 events will be held at 37 venues across the province’s cities and counties, with 9,806 athletes participating, including those who will compete in the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
The opening ceremony of the National Para Games will take place on the 25th at 5 p.m. at Gimhae Sports Complex Stadium.
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