Jakarta: A unified Korean team has made sporting history after winning the first place in the 500-metre women’s dragon boat final in the Asian Games currently held in Indonesia.
It was the first gold medal by a combined Koreas team at a major multi-sports event.
The victory came a day after the paddlers delivered the historic first medal for a unified Koreas team by taking bronze in the women’s 200-metre dragon boat competition.
The gold was awarded to Korea, the name for the joint teams that are entered in rowing, canoeing and women’s basketball rather than being added to the tally of either North or South Korea.
The celebrations started as soon as the dragon-headed boat with its 10 paddlers, its drummer and its sweep crossed the line.
The Koreans hugged on the boat and on the banks along the course following their victory.
At the awarding ceremony, the crew members were in tears as they received their gold medals.
