Cyclist Hur Yoon-jung Wins Gold in Asian Para Games Road Race Despite Injury

Heo Yoon-jung (53, Jeollanam-do Cycling Federation) has won a gold medal in cycling at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, overcoming an injury.

Hur claimed victory in the women's road race (sports class H1-3) held today (the 22nd) on the road course at the Izu Velodrome in Izu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, with a time of 2 hours, 00 minutes, and 31 seconds.

Having won a bronze medal yesterday in the individual time trial despite falling on a rain-slicked downhill slope, Hur led from start to finish today, crossing all five laps in first place to reach the top of the podium.

Hur, who injured her left ankle a few days ago while previewing the course to avoid a collision with a rider ahead of her, competed with her ankle bandaged.

Despite persistent pain and swelling that required her to take pain relievers every two to three hours, she kept pedaling until the very end.

Hur, who contracted meningitis at one year old, took up badminton in 2015 before switching to cycling in 2022 and being selected for the national team the following year.

After finishing fifth in both events at the previous Hangzhou Games, she secured a bronze and then a gold medal this time.

(Photo: Photo Joint Press Corps, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.