Seung-woo Ham (fourth-year computer engineering major majoring in software·hearing impaired) participated as a national representative at the International Paralympic Games held in Metz, France, and returned home with a gold medal around his neck.

Student Seung-woo Ham won a gold medal as a national representative in the computer programming occupational category at the 10th International Paralympic Games held in Metz, France, from the 22nd to the 25th. Thanks to his performance, the Korean team set a record for the 8th overall and won their eighth championship.

In the computer programming category in which Ham competed at the Olympics, he was tasked with developing a word memorization app in six hours using React Native and Amplify. Twelve athletes from around the world competed in the event. Ham received the highest score from the judges and won the gold medal.

Ham said, “The competition was fierce and psychologically intimidating as the best players from each country gathered. He continued, “As a computer programming player representing South Korea, I played as best as possible, thinking that I was not alone, and Korea was behind me. It seems that the efforts have paid off.”

Ham, born with a hearing impairment, first became interested in computer programming in his second year of high school. After that, he entered the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at Sahmyook University and began developing his skills earnestly. He has developed his skills by being active in the coding club and is already known as a talented person in school because he participated in various competitions and won championships.

In 2021, he won the championship with the item ‘Taxi Ride Platform for School Students’ and received 10 million won in start-up subsidies at the ‘Dream Team Entrepreneurship Education Contest for Disabled Youths’ held by Shinhan Financial Group and the Korea Association for Rehabilitation of the Disabled.

Afterward, he participated in the national selection competition (National Skills Competition for the Disabled) organized by the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled last year. He won first place, earning the Olympic Korea flag (Taegeuk) mark.

Ham said that after winning the gold medal, he gained self-confidence, great motivation, and pride. However, he said, “I saw the outstanding skills of the professors during the training process, and I thought that I still had a long way to go. I don’t want to settle for the gold medal, but I want to further develop my skills by sharing knowledge and experience with current programmers. Even though I have a disability, I aim to be recognized as a competent programmer.”

Based on Ham’s performance, the Korean team won 18 gold medals, four silver medals, and nine bronze medals in 34 categories at the Olympics, winning their 8th overall championship. It is the seventh consecutive championship since the 4th edition of the tournament in Perth, Australia, in 1995.

In a congratulatory message on the 26th, President Seok-yeol Yoon said, “With your sweat and efforts, we have achieved great results of winning the overall championship. The splendid achievement achieved with strong will and passion will bring great hope to the people. The government will continue to support players to hone and display their best technical skills. Together with the people, we will always support your beautiful challenges.”

Meanwhile, the International Paralympic Games began in 1981, the “International Year of Persons with Disabilities,” designated by the United Nations (UN) to improve the skill level of persons with disabilities and promote their skill development through functional exchanges. Hosted by the International Association of Skilled Paralympic Games (IAF), it is held every four years.