Winners in 25 out of 34 Events... Most Gold Medals in 24 Years
Lee Changhyun Honored as Tournament MVP in Wrestling
The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education (Superintendent Kim Seokjun) announced on May 28 that the Busan delegation achieved its best ever results at the 54th National Youth Sports Festival, held from May 24 to May 27, by winning a total of 105 medals, including 30 gold, 25 silver, and 50 bronze medals.
Busan Athletes Achieve Best Ever Results at the 54th National Youth Sports Festival. Provided by Busan Metropolitan Office of Education.
The team showed strong performances from the beginning of the event. In the preliminary athletics competitions, they secured 3 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze medals, marking a smooth start. On the first day of the archery events, Kim Sumin (Mora Middle School, 3rd grade) and Park Gyupil (Busan Sports Middle School, 2nd grade) each won gold medals in the boys' and girls' 60m events, continuing the momentum. The athletes also delivered balanced performances across various disciplines, including aerobic hip-hop, taekwondo, rowing, cycling, gymnastics, boxing, and golf.
In particular, in the roller sports events, Choi Yeyoon (Haesong Elementary School) and Kim Yejun (Yeonji Elementary School) each took first place in the 500m+D and 3000m points categories, respectively, achieving Busan's first gold medals in these events since they were officially adopted in 1996. In gymnastics, Oh Jiwon (Busan Sports Middle School, 3rd grade) brought home a gold medal for the first time in 21 years, adding to the excitement.
On the final day of the festival, Lee Changhyun (Busan Sports Middle School, 3rd grade) won a gold medal in wrestling and was also named the tournament's Most Valuable Player (MVP), providing a fitting conclusion to the event.
Busan's strength was also evident in team events. The Seongnam Elementary School basketball team and the Gyeongnam Girls' Middle School volleyball team each took first place, while the Suyeong Elementary School baseball team drew attention by achieving runner-up for the first time since its founding.
In individual events, multiple athletes claimed double crowns, including Hwang Seolhu (Gwangnam Elementary School, 6th grade), Gong Geon (Bunpo Elementary School, 6th grade), and Park Dohun (Modong Middle School, 3rd grade) in swimming. In modern triathlon, Jeong Suyeong, Kim Jinsu, and Gyeong Rogyeom from Busan Sports Middle School each became double champions, demonstrating the team's strength.
Kim Seokjun, Superintendent of the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, stated, "Seeing the students' passion and determination firsthand at the event was truly impressive," and added, "We will actively support Busan so that its strength continues at the National Sports Festival and National Youth Sports Festival, which will be held in Busan this year and next year."
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