Concluded on the 23rd After Seven Days of Intense Competition
Jeollanam-do Wins 41 Gold, 43 Silver, and 75 Bronze Medals
Multiple Titles, Repeat Champions, and New Records Achieved
Award ceremony scene of judo athlete Kim Jijeong, who achieved three consecutive national sports festival championships. Provided by Jeonnam Sports Council
The Jeollanam-do team concluded seven days of intense competition at the 106th National Sports Festival with outstanding results.
According to the Jeollanam-do Sports Council, a total of 1,738 athletes across 49 disciplines participated in the 106th National Sports Festival, which wrapped up at the Busan Asiad Main Stadium on the 23rd, winning 41 gold medals, 43 silver medals, and 75 bronze medals.
Although the team narrowly missed its target of scoring in the 32,000-point range and maintaining 12th place overall, the total number of medals, including gold and silver, increased compared to the previous year (39 gold, 38 silver, 79 bronze). This achievement, marked by balanced performances across all events and the emergence of new rising stars, confirmed the potential of the next generation of Jeollanam-do sports.
In particular, the standout performances of newly emerging athletes were notable.
Choi Jiwoo (Gwangyang High-Tech High School, 1st year), after dominating the middle school division, made her high school debut by winning the gold medal in the 400m, achieving four consecutive championships (including the National Youth Sports Festival) and claiming three titles. Seo Yeji (Gwangyang High-Tech High School, 2nd year) also secured back-to-back victories in the girls’ high school triple jump, demonstrating both the strength and generational shift in Jeollanam-do athletics.
The weightlifting division also drew attention for its generational change. Kim Taeyang (Wando High School, 1st year), who was a triple champion at the 53rd National Youth Sports Festival, made his debut at the National Sports Festival, outperforming his senior competitors in the 2nd and 3rd years. He won two gold medals in the snatch (140kg) and total (307kg), and a silver medal in the clean and jerk (167kg), making a strong impression.
In track and field, Lee Eunbin (Haenam County Office) achieved four consecutive wins in the women’s open 100m (including high school division) and claimed her first gold medal in the open division at the National Sports Festival, signaling the arrival of a new sprint queen.
Lee Ahyoung (Gwangyang City Hall) set a new competition record of 54.26 seconds in the women’s open 400m, continuing her streak with a second consecutive victory.
Shim Jongseop (Korea Electric Power Corporation) achieved back-to-back victories in the men’s open marathon with a time of 2:20:27, while Cho Sanghyun (Mokpo City Hall) added a gold medal in the 400m hurdles, continuing Jeollanam-do’s tradition of excellence in track and field.
Additionally, the team won three gold medals in relay events, including a new competition record in the high school 4x400m mixed relay (3:30.61), as well as victories in the girls’ high school and women’s open 4x400m relays.
The shooting events saw a series of remarkable records.
Kwon Hyeopjun (Jeonnam Federation) set a Korean record with a score of 465.6 points in the men’s open 50m rifle three positions, demonstrating overwhelming performance. The Yeosu Girls’ High School team also set a new competition record of 1,881.8 points in the girls’ high school air rifle team event.
Multiple-title holders, repeat champions, and team events also stood out.
Kim Haeun (Naju City Hall) became a triple champion in cycling by winning gold in the team sprint, keirin, and sprint events. In modern pentathlon, Kim Youngha (Jeollanam-do Provincial Office) swept both the men’s open individual and team events to claim two titles.
In men’s open wushu, Kim Minsu (Jeollanam-do Provincial Office) achieved four consecutive championships in the sanda 60kg class, while judo athlete Kim Jijeong (Suncheon City Hall) secured three consecutive titles in the under-70kg category, proving their dominance at the national level.
In team events, the Korea Electric Power Corporation men’s rugby team and the Mokpo City Hall women’s hockey team each won silver medals.
In soccer, Gwangyang Girls’ High School claimed a bronze medal, maintaining their pride, and the Mokpo Science University baseball team, in just its second year since founding, made its debut at the National Sports Festival and delivered Jeollanam-do its first bronze medal in the open baseball division.
Furthermore, Jeollanam-do’s dancesport team achieved overall victory for the fifth consecutive year, and the wrestling team finished third overall, with numerous team events placing in the top ranks, showcasing the balanced strength and teamwork of the Jeollanam-do delegation.
Song Jin-ho, President of the Jeollanam-do Sports Council, stated, “Although this year’s festival fell short of our goals, it was a meaningful event where new athletes grew remarkably amidst new records and consecutive victories. As athletes who will lead the future of Jeollanam-do sports have begun to emerge in earnest, we will spare no effort in supporting their development.”
He added, “Going forward, we will not only focus on strengthening individual athletes’ capabilities but also enhance the competitiveness of Jeollanam-do sports by establishing new teams and revitalizing workplace sports clubs.”
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