He Got Back Up on the Board... Lee Jae-hyeok, Korea's First Paralympic Snowboard Medalist
Lee Jae-hyeok won the first-ever Paralympic medal for South Korea in snowboarding, capturing bronze in the SB-LL2 category at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Paralympics.
Lee Jae-hyeok, at 29 years old and representing CJ Logistics, has made history by winning South Korea's first-ever medal in snowboarding at the Paralympics. Competing in the men's snowboard cross SB-LL2 finals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Paralympics, he finished third behind Emanuele Berratore (Italy) and Ben Tudhope (Australia), securing a bronze medal that evoked deep emotions for him. It was a significant achievement, especially after having missed a medal ceremony during the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympics due to his previous performance, and this bronze felt like a redemption after his struggles in the sport.
Lee initially pursued baseball but switched to snowboarding after discovering it through a family friend's suggestion. However, his journey was fraught with challenges, including a severe ankle injury sustained while skateboarding during his middle school years, which left him unable to snowboard for years. After a long hiatus, he was inspired by watching the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Paralympics, which reignited his passion for the sport and pushed him back onto the slopes.
Since returning, Lee has shown remarkable resilience, placing 7th in his first World Cup event in February 2019. His journey showcases not only his physical prowess but also his emotional dedication to snowboarding, now seen as a pillar of support in his life. Lee's achievement not only marks a milestone for him personally but also for South Korea in the realm of adaptive sports, drawing attention and inspiration for others with disabilities to pursue their aspirations in sports.