38 gold medals awarded across 41 categories; national team picks to compete in Helsinki next year

Judges evaluate competitors in the nail care category at the 43rd National Skills Competition for People with Disabilities, held at Bexco's second exhibition hall in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on Wednesday. The four-day event, which ran through Thursday, drew 477 competitors from across the country in 41 categories. [Yonhap]
Judges evaluate competitors in the nail care category at the 43rd National Skills Competition for People with Disabilities, held at Bexco's second exhibition hall in Haeundae-gu, Busan, on Wednesday. The four-day event, which ran through Thursday, drew 477 competitors from across the country in 41 categories. [Yonhap]

The 43rd National Skills Competition for People with Disabilities, which drew 477 competitors from across the country, concluded Friday after a four-day run.

According to the Ministry of Employment and Labor, the event was held at Bexco in Busan starting Tuesday, with representatives from all 17 cities and provinces competing across 41 categories including electronics, computer programming and furniture making.

Heo Su-ho took gold in the electronics category, joining 37 other competitors who claimed gold medals. A total of 113 athletes placed overall — 38 gold, 39 silver and 36 bronze.

Prize money for winners in regular categories is 12 million won ($8,770) for gold, 8 million won for silver and 4 million won for bronze.

In demonstration categories, gold carries 6 million won, silver 4 million won and bronze 2 million won. Winners in the leisure and lifestyle skills categories receive 2 million won, 1 million won and 600,000 won, respectively.

Medalists also receive certificates and are exempt from the written and practical examinations for the national technical qualification in their respective categories.

The competition also served as the national team selection trials for the 11th International Abilympics, set for Helsinki, Finland, in May next year. Athletes selected for the national team will compete against participants from around the world at the international event.

"This competition proved, through the outstanding skills and abilities of its athletes, that disability cannot define the limits of what one can do at work," Employment and Labor Minister Kim Young-hoon said. "We will actively support people with disabilities so that their skills lead to good jobs and the futures they hope for."


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