In the entertainment industry and business world, we often hear that you can do anything to win, but the world of sports seems to be a place of pure sweat and glory. As the story of South Korean short track speed skater Roh Jin-gyu becomes known, we can't help but wonder if the glory behind it is worth such a huge price? Can the story of Roh Jin-gyu, an athlete who persists in competition despite his illness, touch your heartstrings? Does his brilliance on the field cover up the gloom of his life? Today, let's walk into the untold story behind this athlete.
Roh Jin-gyu, a name that is almost a household name in the field of short track speed skating in South Korea. Born in 1992, he has shown extraordinary skating talent since he was a child. At the 2009-2010 World Junior Championships, he won the all-around title and became a rising star in short track speed skating. Since then, he has risen rapidly in the senior competition and quickly become the backbone of the Korean team.
2011 was undoubtedly the highlight of Roh's career. On March 14, at the World Championships in Short Track Speed Skating in Sheffield, England, he won the 1000m event with an excellent time of 1 minute and 28 seconds, a full second faster than China's Liang Wenhao. Not only that, Roh Jin-gyu also performed well in the 1500m and 5000m relay races, helping the Korean team win the precious gold medal. His name has become famous in the world sports arena because of this.
An athlete's career often comes with tremendous physical stress and risk, and Roh is no exception. In 2013, a thunderbolt broke his peaceful life when he was diagnosed with a tumor in his shoulder blades. This rare disease, with an incidence as low as 15 per million, plunged him into deep fear and helplessness. But as a top athlete, Roh didn't choose to back down.
Even under the torture of illness, Roh Jin-gyu still chose to continue to compete. In the same year, he not only participated in the ISU Short Track Speed Skating World Cup in Shanghai, but also won the men's 1500m event, showing incredible perseverance and determination. Although he occasionally showed signs of illness during the race, he gave it his all every time he skated down the ice track, as if he were fighting against fate.
Heaven is not beautiful. In one game, Roh Jin-gyu was disqualified for a foul. This is undoubtedly another blow to him. But he didn't give up and continued to compete in the rest of the race, and helped South Korea finish third in the 5,000m relay in Russia. Although the outside world has mixed reviews of him, Roh Jin-gyu has always adhered to his true character as an athlete and is not swayed by the voices of the outside world.
In South Korea, short track speed skating is seen as a symbol of national pride. As a result, Roh Jin-gyu is under tremendous pressure to deal not only with physical pain, but also with the weight of national honor. In his heart, every glide is not only for personal honor, but also for the glory of the country. This kind of pressure and motivation allows him to burst out with amazing energy even in the midst of his illness.
However, who can have no regrets if he is not a saint or a sage? In the midst of high-intensity competition and intense training, Roh Jin-gyu's health deteriorated day by day. Both his team and himself kept a high degree of secrecy from the outside world, and even at the height of his illness, he chose to hide his illness so as not to affect the morale of the team and the image of the country.
It wasn't until 2015 that Roh had to retire due to his deteriorating condition that his true condition was revealed. At that time, he was already terminally ill and miserable. But his spirit and his performances on the field continue to inspire countless people. He is not only a flag of Korean short track speed skating, but also a symbol of perseverance and courage of athletes around the world.
In the years that followed, Roh's life took its ups and downs. He tried to return to training and tried various treatments, but the illness was still with him. For an athlete who once stood on top of the world, such a life is undoubtedly a huge torture. Still, his courage and persistence are admirable.
In 2017, the 25-year-old athlete passed away due to illness. His loss is not only a source of grief for the Korean sports community, but also for sports fans around the world. Roh Jin-gyu has proved the greatness of sportsmanship with his life, and his story has touched countless people.
Roh Jin-gyu's life is both glorious and tragic. He challenged the disease with his own strength, fought against the injustice of fate with a strong will, and demonstrated the indomitable fighting spirit of athletes. In his story, we see that behind the brilliance on the sports field, there is endless sweat and tears, and a deep reflection on the value of life. Roh Jin-gyu's life is the greatest encouragement to everyone who challenges difficulties. Let's remember this great athlete whose spirit will forever inspire generations to come.