Gold Medal Hero Kim Kang-hoon Who Overcame Gun Accident: "Don't Give Up"

Kim Kang-hoon (37), who competed in the men's individual recurve archery event

[The Hague (Netherlands) Joint Coverage Team · Asia Economy Military Specialist Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The South Korean delegation participating in the Invictus Games (World Disabled Veterans Sports Competition) won their first gold medal on the third day of the competition, the 18th (local time). The first gold medal for the Korean team at the Invictus Games was again in archery. Kim Kang-hoon (37), who competed in the men's recurve individual archery event, achieved a 6-0 complete victory over Romania's Cojocaru Emil Florin in the final held at the Zuiderpark Archery Range in The Hague, Netherlands, securing Korea's first gold medal. Below is an exclusive Q&A with Kim Kang-hoon.

▲ How did you become a disabled veteran?

- It was around August 2006. I was serving as a corporal in the 22nd Army Division in Goseong, Gangwon Province, when I suffered a gunshot wound due to an accidental firearm discharge, injuring my spine.

▲ How did you start archery?

- At first, I never thought I would start exercising. I was only focused on rehabilitation. For about two years, I just went from hospital to hospital. After visiting hospitals known for good care, I was told there was nothing more they could do, so I returned to my home in Tongyeong, Gyeongnam. I had difficulty adjusting and found it hard to live at home. Since it was a regular house, it was inconvenient to live in a wheelchair. So, I stayed mostly indoors for about a year. Then I remembered wheelchair rugby, which I had experienced at the hospital before. I called the Gyeongnam Disabled Sports Association to ask if I could play wheelchair rugby, and they said there was a team, so I started. I played wheelchair rugby for about 10 years, but due to some difficulties and shoulder pain, I looked for another sport and was recommended archery. I tried it once and felt a different charm. It is a completely different, more static sport compared to rugby, and it had its own appeal, so I started. I have been doing archery for five years now.

▲ I heard you are a national representative for disabled athletes.

- I’m not sure about my skills. There are many excellent players in our country, so I was lucky to be selected as a national representative. This year was my first time being selected for the national team and I was supposed to participate in the World Championships, but I tested positive for COVID-19 one week before the event, so I couldn’t go. That’s why this competition is even more meaningful. Actually, I almost couldn’t participate in this event either. My father passed away one week before coming here. I even thought about giving up because my mother lives alone.

▲ As a Korean national team archer, you must be recognized worldwide for your skills, right?

- Before coming here, I felt some mental pressure because many people had high expectations. I also came with hopes for a medal, but during the matches, I realized that the other countries’ players were very strong. Everyone shot well. I think the pride in Korean archery was the driving force behind winning the gold medal.

▲ The semifinal match went to a shoot-off in a close contest.

- I was relaxed during the preliminaries, but tension rose as I entered the knockout rounds. The tension increased with each round, and it peaked in the semifinals. My opponent was a Polish player who was very good. I never thought I would lose, but whenever I shot, he matched me, and whenever I led, he caught up. Eventually, it was tied 5-5, and the match came down to the last arrow. The opponent shot an 8 first. When I shot, I felt my arm wouldn’t pull back properly. I shot and thought, ‘This is off.’ I expected an 8 or 7, but it was a 9, so I was able to win.

▲ Compared to the semifinals, the final was won quite easily.

- Not every match is easy. Confidence is important, and winning the semifinal relieved a lot of pressure. My initial goal was to reach the final, and having achieved that, I felt less tension, but the final is still the final. I was a bit nervous, but I focused on doing what I wanted to do, shooting one arrow at a time.

▲ You achieved a great result. If you have any message, please share it.

- Even if you are injured, don’t be too discouraged at first. There are things you can consistently do even with a disability. From my experience, you can do what you want to do. You can also accomplish other given tasks. Confidence is the most important. Have confidence, don’t be discouraged by failure, think ‘I can do it,’ work hard, and if you do your best, good results will come.

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