Kim Nayun "Left arm amputated due to motorcycle accident... 19 fractures from cervical to thoracic spine"

"Severe Damage Makes Surgery Difficult... Amputation Due to Sepsis"

Photo by TV Chosun, capture from 'Star Documentary My Way'

[Asia Economy Online Issue Team] Kim Na-yoon mentioned the accident in which she lost one arm due to a past traffic accident.

On the 20th, TV Chosun’s ‘Star Docu My Way’ aired the daily life of ‘one-arm fitness athlete’ Kim Na-yoon, who last year became the first amputee to participate in the WBC Fitness Competition and won four crowns competing against able-bodied athletes.

Kim Na-yoon, who revealed that she worked as a hair designer before the accident, said, "The accident happened in 2018 when I was 27 years old. I took a day off from work and left for Chuncheon with a light heart. The mode of transportation was a motorcycle. While riding, I slipped on the national road and rolled over. My arm was severed and flew off, and I had 19 fractures from the cervical to thoracic vertebrae, so I couldn’t get up."

She added, "Although the time wasn’t long enough for necrosis to occur, I heard that the damage to my arm was so severe that the surgery was difficult. The reattachment was successful, but due to sepsis, it was amputated again."

Kim Na-yoon said, "The left hand plays a very important role for a hairdresser. It felt like all my goals, dreams, and everything I had done so far were ruined."

She continued, "I thought the right thing was not to dwell on such thoughts, so I didn’t. I was grateful because if my neck had been crushed, I would have died instantly. I am right-handed, but since my left arm was amputated, I was rather thankful."

Kim Na-yoon also said, "Many people supported me for exercising with one arm, even though it’s hard to work out with both arms," and added, "I heard people say, ‘Seeing you makes me reflect on myself again.’"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.