Sin targets golden homecoming in PyeongChang

“Looking at my skiing overall, I can definitely improve in a couple of areas, particularly my physical strength and skiing technique"

South Korea’s World Championships medallist Eui Hyun Sin is coming off a breakthrough Nordic skiing season, which has given him confidence ahead of his home Paralympic Winter Games.

Sin will be making his Paralympic Games debut at PyeongChang 2018 and is one of his country’s biggest medal hopes in the men’s cross-country skiing and biathlon sitting.

He has reflected on the 2017 season, where he won a bronze and silver in biathlon and cross-country skiing respectively on his World Para Nordic Skiing Championships debut.

“My best performance was finishing third in the biathlon at the World Championships, despite some bad shooting,” Sin said. “Looking at my skiing overall, I can definitely improve in a couple of areas, particularly my physical strength and skiing technique.”

In only his second full season, he is still getting to grips with the physical demands of the sports despite having played Para ice hockey, wheelchair basketball and Para cycling nationally and internationally in the past.

Sin, who had his legs amputated following a road traffic accident, continued: “Even though my physical strength got worse towards the end of the season, I am happy enough with my performances this year.”

Having reflected on the improvements he can make, he also acknowledged the influence of those around him.

“My parents contributed their life for me. I’m also inspired by the other senior athletes who are doing their best, no matter how old they are.”

Sin will be 37 by the time he lines up in PyeongChang. But having also finished second in the cross-country World Cup rankings in 2017, he believes he can go one better next year and has high hopes for the Paralympics.

“I will do my best, and hope to finish in first place next season. I want to finish the 2017-18 season well without any injury, and want to qualify for the Paralympic Games.

“I hope to win gold in front of my home crowd!”

The Paralympic Winter Games will take place in PyeongChang from 9-18 March 2018.