Wounded army vet dreams of Paralympic gold
With the clock ticking down to Tokyo 2020, this South Korean is dreaming of gold.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) DISABLED SOUTH KOREAN ROWING ATHLETE, HA JAE-HUN, SAYING:
"I have to stay cautious on the river and focused, which doesn't allow for other thoughts and keeps me at ease. I like that."
He trains every single day.
But it's taken four years, and 21 rounds of surgery, to get him here.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) DISABLED SOUTH KOREAN ROWING ATHLETE, HA JAE-HUN, SAYING:
"On August 4, 2015 I lost both my legs because of a land mine accident in the military."
South Korea's Defense Ministry released footage from that day.
Ha Jae-hun volunteered to lead seven soldiers on patrol along the border with North Korea.
He took a step forward - the next thing he remembers is being thrown to the ground, with both his lower legs stripped to the bone.
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) DISABLED SOUTH KOREAN ROWING ATHLETE, HA JAE-HUN, SAYING:
"I wouldn't say I don't get mad at North Korea but just as I myself was a soldier, those who installed the mines must've followed an order. So sometimes I wonder what there is to blame."
He fell in love with rowing during rehab.
And has already won local competitions.
South Korea's National Team coach says he has innate talent, and strong discipline from the military.
Now Ha hopes that will get him a place on the team:
(SOUNDBITE) (Korean) DISABLED SOUTH KOREAN ROWING ATHLETE, HA JAE-HUN, SAYING:
"Even if I come in last at the Olympics, it will be meaningful to simply participate. So I'll do my best there and my ultimate goal is to win a gold medal in 2024 in France."
