South Korean eventer Kim Hyung-chil died after falling from his horse during the equestrian competition on a slippery course yesterday at the Asian Games, becoming the first athlete to die in competition in the games' history.
Kim, 47, fell from his horse on jump No. 8 on the cross country stage of the three-day eventing competition and was taken to the hospital, Asian Games organizing committee spokesman Ahmed Abdulla al-Khulaifi said. Kim was pronounced dead soon after arrival at the hospital.
"I'm very sorry this tragic accident occurred," said Chung Hyung-sook, South Korea's team leader. "I feel totally responsible and my heart is broken."
PHOTO: AFP
Chung said South Korea was considering withdrawing from the equestrian event out of respect to Kim. All competitors observed a moment of silence yesterday shortly after Kim's death.
Kim, a silver medalist at home in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, fell from his horse, which tumbled on top of him, causing severe trauma to his head, neck and upper chest, according to Abduluahab al-Museh, of the organizing committee's doping and medical staff. He said efforts to resuscitate and revive Kim failed at the scene.
Kim's horse, a 12-year-old gelding called Bundaberg Black, had no major injuries in the fall.
Christopher Hodson, vice president of the International Equestrian Federation, said a full investigation into the accident was underway.
Yesterday's competition was held in rainy conditions, and concerns were raised that the course was slippery and that that may have contributed to the accident.
Hodson, however, said the course was fit to ride.
"Kim was the 11th rider," he said. "The first 10 riders completed the course successfully."
Course officials decided to suspend the competition immediately after the accident, when a downpour hit as they were repairing the fence where Kim's fall had occurred. Competition resumed later in the day.
Hodson refused to comment further until the investigation is completed.
"I have no doubt at all that this sad accident will get the same and even further examination as is always the case, and that any lessons we can learn from it will be applied," he said.
Organizers said that Kim was the first athlete to die in competition at the Asian Games that were first held in New Delhi in 1951. A volunteer died in a traffic accident here last week.
Kim's death deepened concerns over equestrian safety. Equestrian experimented with breakaway fences to reduce the dangers in the 1990s, when five riders died in as many months in Britain.
EVERY DAY A VICTORY: Players on the women’s team faced pressure from society just getting out onto the field as they prepare for their first Women’s Asian Cup game today Bangladesh’s national soccer team face daunting odds at their first-ever Women’s Asian Cup, but have already scored a major victory by qualifying. In the South Asian nation of 170 million, social stigma, family expectations, poverty and religious hardliners have long relegated women and girls to sports sidelines. The first women’s soccer league matches took place in 2011 and the squad, known to fans as the Red and Green, have kept pressing forward despite deeply embedded prejudices. “Many more girls would have joined us if the community had been even slightly supportive,” captain Afeida Khandaker told AFP ahead of her side’s March 3
Soccer officials yesterday offered “full support and assistance” to the Iranian team in Australia for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup after the US and Israel launched massive attacks on their homeland. Iran’s 26-strong squad arrived on the Gold Coast days before the strikes on Saturday killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as Washington and Tel Aviv seek to topple the Islamic republic. They are due to open their tournament today against South Korea. The AFC in a statement said it “continues to closely monitor the recent developments in the Middle East during this challenging period.” “The AFC’s foremost priority remains the welfare, safety and
ROAD RASH: Marc Marquez retired after a crash, marking the first time after 88 consecutive races stretching back to 2021 that a Ducati bike failed to make the podium Marco Bezzecchi yesterday won the MotoGP season-opening grand prix in Thailand from pole position as defending world champion Marc Marquez retired late with a buckled wheel. Aprilia’s Bezzecchi led from start to finish to top the podium in Buriram, with KTM’s Pedro Acosta second and Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez third. Ducati’s Marquez is chasing a record-equaling eighth world title this season, but he exited the race in dramatic fashion while in fourth place with five laps to go. The Spaniard, who started from second on the grid, took a corner wide, with the jolt to his bike dislodging the rear tire, badly damaging his
Liverpool on Tuesday suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers as Andre’s stoppage-time strike sealed a dramatic victory for the English Premier League’s bottom club. Arne Slot’s side fell behind to Rodrigo Gomes’ strike in the closing stages at Molineux. Mohamed Salah hauled Liverpool level with his first goal in 11 top-flight games dating back to November last year. However, Andre’s first goal for Wolves inflicted the latest humbling loss in a chastening season for Liverpool. It was the first time the Premier League’s bottom club had beaten the reigning champions since Crystal Palace defeated Chelsea in 2017. Liverpool
RSS