Skeleton Racer Jung Seung-ki Targets Olympic Medal After Overcoming Paralysis

"I would be grateful just to walk again…."

That was the desperate thought of men's skeleton national team member Jung Seung-ki (27, Gangwon Provincial Office) until the fall of 2024.

Jung, who had won World Cup gold and reached world No. 1 ranking, suffered a devastating injury in October 2024. While weight training ahead of the 2024-2025 World Cup season opener, he ruptured a disc in his lower back. The injury compressed nerves to his legs, causing paralysis in his lower body and requiring emergency surgery. His return to competition—let alone normal life—was uncertain. Doctors delivered the devastating news that he might live with permanent disability.

Now Jung will compete in the men's skeleton event at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. He is not merely a participant but a legitimate medal contender. Jung takes to the track for the first and second runs at 5:30 p.m. local time (Korean time) on February 12 at the Cortina Sliding Centre in Italy. Final standings will be determined by combined times from all four runs, with the third and fourth heats scheduled for the morning of February 14.

He endured painful treatment and rehabilitation before returning to national team training after eight months. Through superhuman determination, he secured his Olympic spot. While his trademark starts have weakened, his driving skills have matured. Since arriving in Italy, Jung has memorized the Cortina track through six official practice runs—two per day.

Korean sliding sports claimed their first Olympic gold medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Games through men's skeleton racer Yun Sung-bin. Jung follows in his footsteps. He finished 10th at the 2022 Beijing Olympics and won a bronze medal on this season's World Cup circuit. He placed fifth at the first World Cup event held on the Cortina track. Track familiarity gives sliding athletes a decisive advantage.

All eyes are on the "bullet train" battle at speeds reaching 140 km/h against world No. 1 Matt Weston, No. 3 Marcus Wyatt (both Great Britain), No. 2 Yin Zheng of China, and No. 4 Axel Jungk of Germany.