UIJONGBU, Mar. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – In a testament to courage and endurance, a firefighter from the Namyangju Fire Station in South Korea’s Gyeonggi Province has secured a gold medal at an international competition that tests the physical limits of firefighters worldwide. The event, known for its grueling challenges, was held in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
The Gyeonggi Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters announced on March 8 that firefighter Han Dong-hee topped the stair climbing event at the Aramco World Firefighters Challenge held on March 3.
The competition draws participants from 46 countries to compete in various disciplines that mimic the physical and technical demands of real-life firefighting, including stair climbing, hose dragging, hammer striking, wall climbing, and fire truck driving.
Han’s remarkable feat involved racing up 13 floors in full firefighting gear, which includes protective clothing and equipment weighing up to 20 kilograms, in a record time of 2 minutes and 9.49 seconds.
Saudi Arabian competitors followed Han in the stair climbing event, securing the silver and bronze medals.
Han Dong-hee is no stranger to the winner’s podium, having previously won the national firefighter stair climbing competition in Busan, among other accolades in various firefighting disciplines.
Hong Jang-pyo, the head of the Gyeonggi Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters, praised Han’s achievement and pledged continuous support to ensure that all personnel maintain the essential physical fitness and specialized skills required for their demanding roles as firefighters.
Image credit: The Gyeonggi Northern Fire and Disaster Headquarters / photonews@koreabizwire.com
