South Korean badminton player Park Hae-sung, once confined to his home following a spinal cord injury, is preparing to compete in his first Asian Para Games. The 29-year-old athlete, who currently holds a world ranking of No. 3 in men’s singles, will represent South Korea at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games, which begin on October 18, Hankook Ilbo reported.
From isolation to international podiums
Park’s journey to the national team began years after a surgery in middle school to remove a tumor pressing on his spinal nerves left him with lower-body paralysis. Following his high school graduation, Park spent several years in isolation, avoiding social interaction. His transition back into public life occurred after a chance encounter with a stranger at a grocery store who encouraged him to visit a local welfare center.
At the center, Park experimented with various sports before discovering badminton. He noted that the sensation of striking the shuttlecock provided a level of engagement he did not experience with other activities. His commitment to the sport intensified after joining a professional team three years ago, a transition that initially required him to undergo a grueling training regimen while managing a weight of 100 kilograms. Through consistent training, he reduced his weight to the 70-kilogram range and began competing on the national circuit.
Competitive breakthrough at the 2026 Asian Para Games
In March 2023, Park entered the Sejong Mayor’s Cup National Para-Badminton Championships with little expectation from his peers, as he had only been with his professional team for three months. By securing third-place finishes in both men’s singles and doubles, he established himself as a competitive force. Since then, he has achieved significant international success, including winning two gold medals in men’s singles and mixed doubles at this year’s British and Irish international tournaments.
Park’s current world rankings reflect his rapid rise: he is ranked third in men’s singles and is part of the world’s top-ranked mixed doubles pair alongside Jung Gye-ul. Additionally, he holds a world ranking of No. 3 in men’s doubles with partner Yoo Soo-young, with whom he secured a silver medal at a tournament in Bahrain earlier this year. National team coach Park Jung-gook noted that Park’s ability to learn quickly and his positive rapport with teammates have made him an influential presence in the squad.
Strategic goals for the Aichi-Nagoya competition
Park is scheduled to compete in three events at the upcoming Asian Para Games: men’s singles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles. Speaking from the Korea Paralympic Committee’s Icheon Training Center, Park expressed a mix of anticipation and nerves regarding his debut at the games. Despite the pressure of his first continental event, he stated his objective clearly: “I will win a gold medal. I will definitely win at least one.”
The 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games are set to open on October 18. Park’s performance in these events will mark his first appearance on the Asian Para Games stage, concluding a multi-year period of development from his entry into the sport to his current international standing.
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