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World Junior Cycling Championships to be held in Korea

Posted July. 24, 2014 05:52,   

한국어

World Junior Cycling Championships will be held in Gwangmyeong Speedom in Gyeonggi Province for five days from August 8, which is the first event to be held in Asia since it began in 2004. This year, more than 30 countries will participate with 19 Korean athletes joining.

Korea has deep connection with this event. At the 2012 Montichiari championships in Italy, Lee Hye-jin (Spo 1) won in 500 meter solo and 200 meter sprint, the first Korean to win gold medal in world championships for junior and senior category. She was also the first Asian person to become champion. The following year in Moscow event, Park Sang-hoon (Seoul Metropolitan Government) became world champion at the 3-kilometer pursuit race. Having remained in the periphery of world cycling contests, Korea was able to host the event thanks to such performances.

Korea Cycling Association is eying on Park Je-won of men`s category for this year. A high school student living in Australia, Park ranks No. 1 in Australian junior sprint. His parents were both cyclists. His father Park Jong-hyeon plays as special class player in track cycling and his mother Choi Shim-mi was track athlete while in high school and college, who has made Korean record and non-official Asia record.

Korea Cycling Association`s Secretary-General Hwang Soon-bong said, "Australia is a short track cycling powerhouse, and Park`s No. 1 ranking means he is world class. He is a promising player who can deliver the first medal to Korea in the 2016 cycling championship in Rio de Janeiro. Entrance fee for this year`s World Junior Cycling Championships is free.