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Do you remember the last torch-bearer of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympic Games?

The protagonist, who was the captain of the handicapped ice hockey team at the time, has now started anew as the national team manager.



Director Han Min-soo, the first seat at Nightline, is here.




Q. You have been appointed as the manager of the Para Ice Hockey team?



[Han Min-soo / Para ice hockey national team coach: We started the first national training on May 3rd.

When I was trying to teach for the first time, I was nervous, but the atmosphere was very good because the staff and players followed well.]



Q. You are the first coach from a handicapped player?



[Han Min-soo / Para ice hockey team coach: I started Para ice hockey as a founding member in 2000.

After 21 years of being a disabled athlete, I became the first coach of the national team.]



Q. How is your breathing with the players?



[Han Min-soo / Para ice hockey team coach: Knowing is an advantage and knowing is a disadvantage.

So, I am working hard to make up for my shortcomings and to match the atmosphere so that I can demonstrate 100% and 120% of the skills I have in a good mood.]




Q. PyeongChang Paralympic torch relay...

Did you feel crushed?



[Han Min-su/Director of the Para ice hockey team: I suffered a lot.

It's been 3 years since it's been alone.

At that time, there was a lot of snow, and I couldn't do the final rehearsal because of heavy snow, so I had a lot of difficulties when I tried to climb up while relying on a single string after listening only verbally.

Still, when I went up with my family's name on the helmet and energized again, it was remembered as a glorious moment for me.]




Q. How did you feel when the bronze medal was confirmed for Para Ice Hockey?



[Han Min-soo / Para ice hockey national team coach: I am still excited.

Actually, 3, 2, 1. The end, the whistle blows, and I was very happy when I finally won the bronze medal on the stage of my dreams.

Only tears flowed endlessly.

Tears of joy and tears of regret seem to have continued to flow as the emotions and sorrows of 20 years passed like a kaleidoscope.]



Q. You heard that the para ice hockey player base is not thick?



[Han Min-soo / Para ice hockey team coach: It's been 3 years since I retired.

Currently, there are 17 national entries.

12 of them are made up of Gangwon Provincial Office's business team players.

The remaining five are made up of club players.

A little regrettable is that since there is only one unemployment team, it is not a competitive structure in good faith and there are many difficulties in building infrastructure.

Even if you want to exercise, there are many cases where you cannot exercise easily because there is no financial support.

So, if there is one more unemployment team like Gangwon Provincial Office, there will be a good synergy effect in the end, and I think the Republic of Korea's Para Ice Hockey Team will grow faster.]




Q. Where did the driving force behind overcoming obstacles come from?



[Han Min-su/Director of the Para ice hockey team: I think I liked sports a little. I started because I liked it. Weightlifting was the first event I encountered sports with disabilities. Weightlifting gave me strength to my body, and as I gained strength, I gained great confidence in my social life. Then I started wheelchair basketball, then para ice hockey, and rowing. In fact, sports do not improve your quality of life and gain a lot of confidence in your life? So, I especially hope that people with disabilities can increase the value of their lives through sports.]



Q. Running towards Beijing… Are you prepared as a director?



[Han Min-su / Para ice hockey national team coach: In PyeongChang, our goal was to advance to the finals. Unfortunately, I ended up winning the bronze medal, but they talked about it. The players said that they had to win a medal at that time, so they couldn't enjoy it because there was only that. So I talked about it this time as I became a director. If we add the desperateness and enthusiasm and enjoyment to the PyeongChang period, the goal we did not achieve during the PyeongChang period in Beijing. You will be able to advance to the finals. Because the atmosphere is good right now, there is no big injury, and the Aple World Championship is held in mid-June. At this time, we will make sure to achieve our goal, get the right to participate in the Beijing Paralympic Games, and train hard to achieve our goal.]



Q. Are there any other areas you would like to challenge?



[Han Min-su / Para ice hockey national team coach: You did a lot of challenges. At first, I thought about how far my own limitations were and challenged myself. As a result, as many people saw my challenges and gained their dreams, hopes, and courage, I thought that my challenge should not be stopped. Failure to challenge does not mean that there is nothing left. I hope that many citizens will not be afraid of challenges and will take small challenges into practice so that they will feel a sense of accomplishment and live in the world.]