Some athletes at the Gwangju Universiade have moved spectators and other athletes with their indomitable spirit.
They’ve overcome personal obstacles to represent their countries in international sports events -- with diseases, poverty or nationality problems not stopping them from giving stellar performances.
Thomas Van der Plaetsen, star decathlete of Belgium; Fallon Forde, sprinter of Barbados; In Kyo-don, taekwondo player of the Republic of Korea; and Simon Andrew Capon, foil fencer of Australia, are among them.
Thomas Van der Plaetsen
Plaetsen, the victor in the Kazan Universiade decathlon two years ago, defended his title on July 9 with a stunning performance.
At a press conference back in his homeland before coming to Gwangju for the Universiade, he said that he would score 8,000 points. He fell short of the ambitious goal, marking 7,956 points, but said he was satisfied with the result.
His victory was all the more impressive as it came after a yearlong battle with testicular cancer.
The 25-year-old tested positive for a hormone associated with cancer while undergoing a mandatory drug test for a regional game in September 2014.
Even as he was undergoing chemotherapy, Plaesten continued his hard training. For him, giving up was never an option.
Right after surgery, he started moving around as the doctor told him that if he were in a physically good shape, it would be easier to treat cancer.
His hard work and indefatigable spirit paid off. To the surprise of many, he came back stronger at the Gwangju Universiade.
Now, the defending champion is setting his eyes on the 2016 Rio Olympics, hoping to stage another record performance.
Fallon Forde
Forde received much more attention for his ripped shoe than his performance in the men’s 200m. He marked his season-best time of 21.46 seconds, but what grabbed spectators' attention was his repaired shoes. TV footages and newspaper photos showed his left shoe was stitched in the middle.
With his family of six getting by on only $1,000 a month, Forde could not afford to buy news shoes for the Gwangju Universiade.
The front part of his left shoe ripped down the middle during training, with only five days remaining.
It was his attache who managed to find a seamstress to repair it quickly. Without her help, Forde would have had to sit out his first Universiade, for which he made a grueling 24-hour flight.
His story received wide coverage from Korean newspapers, drawing praise and sympathy from readers.
As he is from a small country in the Caribbean Sea, Forde has received virtually no assistance from his country or schools.
But organizers of the Gwangju Universiade have nominated him for the SK Happiness Scholarship, a special program offered by SK C&C, a South Korean IT services provider, to athletes who show true sportsmanship and courage.
If included among the 50 winners of the scholarship, Forde will receive financial assistance, which will help him concentrate more on training.
Forde's goal is also to participate in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Marchenson Altidor
Altidor came to Gwangju for the Universiade without a coach as one of the three Haiti athletes. His participation was fully supported by the Gwangju Universiade Organizing Committee (GUOC).
He lives in poverty with his mother in Haiti. His father died in the 2010 earthquake which devastated the Central American country.
Poverty, however, couldn't stop him from pursuing a taekwondo career. He got the first-degree black belt in 2006 and participated in the Gwangju Universiade.
He has no protection vest of his own. A white taekwondo uniform is all he has brought to compete in the Universiade.
He said in an interview with a Gwangju-based newspaper that he would borrow a vest to compete and win a medal.
Altidor placed joint 17th in the men's -58kg on July 10.
In Kyo-don
In is another player who had to fight against cancer to continue his athletic cancer.
In had been one of host Korea’s gold medal favorites in taekwondo. He began his senior career with a gold in the +87kg event at the 2011 Shenzhen Universiade. He then topped the podium at the 2012 World University Taekwondo Championships and 2013 National Championships. In 2014, however, he was diagnosed with lymphatic cancer and was forced to undergo chemotherapy for a year.
He recovered in a record time through tenacity and dedication and recently joined the Korea Gas Corporation’s taekwondo team. In is going for golds in +87kg and team events in Gwangju from July 11-13.
Simon Andrew Capon
Capon set an example of overcoming a crippling disease and making it to the national fencing squad.
Born in Taiwan as an orphan, Capon was adopted by an Australian home. He joined the men’s foil team for the Gwangju Universiade after undergoing two surgeries for elbow injury and lymphatic cancer.
By Kim Yon-se (kys@heraldcorp.com)
