A total of 471 high school athletes from Busan will participate in the 107th National Sports Festival in Jeju, continuing last year's upward trend in medal acquisition.
The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education announced on October 12 that the final roster for the high school representative team, which will compete from October 16 to 22, has been confirmed.
The team consists of 471 student athletes (across 42 events), excluding coaches and officials. Those who passed the Busan representative selection trials held in August and September will travel to Jeju on October 12 for acclimatization training and final condition checks.
Last year, at the 106th National Sports Festival, the Busan high school team won 13 gold, 25 silver, and 43 bronze medals, totaling 81. The Busan Metropolitan Office of Education evaluated this official tally as the best performance in history.
In the previous competition, the team secured gold medals in key events such as fencing, swimming, and athletics, and this year, they are hopeful for strong performances in wrestling, boxing, swimming, and athletics.
Notably, Busan Sports High School, with 196 athletes competing in 20 events, aims to build on last year's momentum, where they won 47 medals (9 gold, 17 silver, and 21 bronze), targeting around 50 medals this year based on their solid athlete base across various disciplines.
Ahead of the competition, a ceremony was held to boost team morale.
On October 6, Busan Sports High School hosted a send-off ceremony for the 107th National Sports Festival at its Geumgyeok Hall. The event included an opening ceremony, team oath, and encouraging speeches. Videos featuring alumni, including bronze medalist Choi Dong-yeol from the recent Asian Games in Aichi and Nagoya, and UFC fighter Ko Seok-hyun, were shown to inspire the younger athletes.
Both the education office and the school have prioritized not only medal acquisition but also 'safe participation without injuries.'
The education office plans to actively support athletes with performance analysis by event, tailored training, individual condition management, and injury prevention education to ensure they can perform in a stable environment.
Kim Seok-jun, Superintendent of the Busan Metropolitan Office of Education, stated, "This Busan high school representative team is the precious result of the students' hard work and effort. I hope the National Sports Festival becomes a meaningful stage for athletes to showcase their abilities and grow through fair competition."
Yoon Kang, Principal of Busan Sports High School, also emphasized, "Above all, it is crucial that our students complete their events safely and healthily without injuries. I hope they trust in the sweat they have shed and give their best to showcase their skills."
Meanwhile, the 107th National Sports Festival kicked off with preliminary badminton matches on October 1 and will officially begin its schedule on October 16.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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