“The moment when she prayed, just for 1∼2 seconds, right after her victory, was so good. I watched it over and over, yesterday and today, and couldn’t help getting tears in my eyes.”
Deacon Chang Byeong-il (52), father of archer Chang Hye-jin (29·LH), was still feeling deeply moved when I met him on August 14 at Sanwieui (“On the Mount”) Church (Rev. Chang Byeong-chang) in Cheoin-gu, Yongin, Gyeonggi-do. Chang Hye-jin won the gold medal in the individual archery event on August 12. Deacon Chang said he visited Hye-jin at the national training village in Taeneung, the day before she flew to Brazil for the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. “I was worried that I might give her pressure, so I told her just to do her best till the very last shot, and not to mind the results.” Then, he said, father and daughter held hands and prayed together.
Reporter Choi Ki-young (ky710@kmib.co.kr), from Yong-in, with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)
Photo by intern reporter Bo Yeon Kim
Full Story in Korean:
“한 발 한 발, 하나님께 맡기라 했다”: 장혜진 선수 아버지 장병일 집사가 말하는 ‘믿음의 궁사, 내 딸’