Three Double Champions in Swimming and Athletics
Outstanding Performances by Jung Geunmin and Moon Seungyu
The Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education announced on the 27th that it had won a total of 52 medals?13 gold, 13 silver, and 26 bronze?at the 54th National Youth Sports Festival held across the Gyeongnam region.
The Jeonnam student athletes excelled in individual events, producing three double champions in swimming and athletics, and also achieved balanced results in team events such as Baduk, soccer, handball, and hockey.
Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education won 13 gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 26 bronze medals at the 54th National Youth Sports Festival. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education
In swimming, Jung Geunmin, a 6th grader at Sachang Elementary School, dominated the 100m and 200m freestyle events and was selected as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Moon Seungyu, a 6th grader at Yeongam Elementary School, also became a double champion by winning both the 50m and 100m breaststroke. Moon, influenced by her mother, a former track and field athlete, is growing as an athlete herself, and her older sister is also a competitive swimmer.
In athletics preliminary events, Kim Taebin, a 3rd grader at Mokpo Hadang Middle School, won gold in both shot put and discus, becoming a double champion for the second consecutive year. In the Baduk category, Korea Baduk Middle School?the nation’s only Baduk-specialized middle school?achieved its fourth consecutive victory in the girls’ middle school team event. The boys’ middle school team finished with a bronze medal.
Strong performances continued in team events. The Gwangyeong Middle School girls’ soccer team advanced to the finals and won the silver medal, while the Suncheon Jungang Elementary School boys’ soccer team finished third. In handball, both Muan Elementary School (girls) and Muanbuk Middle School (boys) earned bronze medals, and the Mokpo Jungang Girls’ Middle School hockey team also took home a bronze. In baseball, several schools advanced to the quarterfinals.
Efforts to promote environmental sustainability were also highlighted. The Suncheon Jungang Elementary School boys’ soccer team led eco-friendly activities by using reusable water bottles instead of single-use plastic bottles during the tournament as part of their ESG initiatives. The provincial office evaluated this as a model case for sustainable sports culture.
The provincial office has operated a psychological support system for student athletes since 2015. By assigning professional sports counselors, it provides counseling for students considering quitting sports, psychological healing, and other services to support the holistic growth of athletes. In addition, the office has established a ‘K-Edu Center’ at Troy University in Alabama, USA, dispatching three dedicated staff members to strengthen the foundation for international career-linked education. In collaboration with Troy University, they are also running joint online education programs and providing support for university admissions.
Superintendent Kim Daejung said, "This tournament marks the starting point for Jeonnam sports to reach out to the world, going beyond just medal competition," and added, "I hope our student athletes will grow into glocal talents who develop within the community."
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