Former national marathoner Lee Bong-ju appeared on YTN’s ‘News Rider’ on the 4th. / YTN
Former national marathoner Lee Bong-ju (53), who is fighting an incurable disease, reported his current status, saying, “My health continues to improve.”
Lee Bong-ju appeared on YTN’s ‘Newsrider’ on the 4th and said, “I have recovered a lot (to my health) and am continuing rehabilitation treatment,” and added, “I think I will be able to return to my healthy state soon.”
Lee Bong-ju suffered from unexplained pain in 2020 and was diagnosed with ‘dystonia.’ Dystonia is a disease that causes muscles to stiffen or the body to twist due to abnormalities in the central nervous system, which coordinates muscle contraction and tension. At the time, Lee Bong-ju was shown to be having difficulty moving, with his back bent and his neck bent at a 90-degree angle, causing concern. In 2021, he underwent surgery to remove a spinal arachnoid cyst over a period of 6 hours.
On this day, Lee Bong-ju sat with his back straight and continued speaking. “When I had a stomachache, regardless of my will, I would twitch and couldn’t even drive,” he said. “There was no pain. “It was just a situation where my stomach stiffened and bent forward regardless of my will.” He continued, “I thought I was more confident about my health than anyone else, but as my health began to deteriorate, I became very discouraged and everything was not normal.”
National marathoner Lee Bong-ju, who suffers from dystonia, is participating in the ‘Lee Bong-ju Recovery Prayer Marathon’ held at Bucheon Sports Complex on November 28, 2021, and is running toward the finish line with pacemakers. Bong-ju Lee ran the last 1.2km section and crossed the finish line./Reporter Deok-hoon Lee
Lee Bong-ju said, “I think rehabilitation at home was the most effective,” adding, “I think the support from my family was the biggest, and the thing I asked about my health from everyone I met was my health. “The support shown by many people was great,” he said.
Lee Bong-ju, whose health has improved, is said to have recently resumed volunteer work. Bong-ju Lee said, “I formed an organization with people who like marathons and joined forces to provide a helping hand to neighbors in need. As I was doing volunteer work, I encountered many neighbors in need. I even cried. “Doing volunteer work with the members gives me great strength,” he said.
Bongju Lee said, “When I was sick, my dream was to run on the playground or outside, even for an hour. I think that day will come soon. “This year, I want to show my health and run again,” he said.
Lee Bong-ju left behind records including a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, gold medals at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games and the 2002 Busan Asian Games, and victory in the 2001 Boston Marathon. He was awarded the Blue Dragon Medal, the highest rank among athletic decorations, in 2009, and has served as an executive of the Korea Athletics Federation since his retirement.
2024-01-05 12:55:48
#Lee #Bongju #suffered #incurable #disease #straightened #bent #back.. #run #year
