[OSEN=Reporter Kim Soo-hyung] On the SBS entertainment show ‘Dong Sang E Mong 2’ 4 years ago, Lee Bong-joo, who started to have a rare chronic illness with his back bending, recently revealed his noticeable recovery and also mentioned his return to marathons.
On the SBS entertainment show ‘Dong Sang E Mong Season 2 – You Are My Destiny’ broadcast on the 10th, Lee Hyeong-taek visited marathon hero Lee Bong-joo. The two have been connected for as long as 30 years. The current whereabouts of marathoner Lee Bong-joo were also revealed.
On that day, Lee Bong-joo dedicated himself to exercising and greeted Lee Hyeong-taek warmly. In fact, Lee Bong-joo recently suffered from a rare disease. He was diagnosed with a rare chronic illness called ‘muscle tension syndrome.’ The scene of him using a cane and wheelchair four years ago was also depicted. He had also experienced unexplained abdominal contractions. He showed a difficult appearance with a body that was bending contrary to his will. Despite the situation that worsened without knowing the cause, he continued rehabilitation steadily.
The two took care of each other’s health. Now his back was somewhat straightened. Lee Hyeong-taek said, “Brother has improved a lot,” expressing his joy. Lee Bong-joo said, “When my body and mind were exhausted, I had surgery. My last dream was ‘I want to run.’ Even standing straight and running for just an hour was a wish. Lee Bong-joo said, “When it was the most difficult time due to illness, it was really rare, not knowing the cause made it even more frustrating,” and added, “Before, even lying down with a bent body, my head was spinning, I couldn’t sleep without taking medicine, but now I can lie down without that.”
Since last year, he has been gradually recovering. Lee Bong-joo said, “It didn’t happen overnight,” explaining that it was a miraculous result accumulated through steady rehabilitation. He said, “I endured that time and realized that in the end, only family matters. Take care of your wife well. Eventually, only your wife will be by your side,” he said, urging.
In this way, he devoted himself to rehabilitation for four years to run again. With the pain of the first year of onset in mind, Lee Bong-joo ran in the marathon even with a withering body. Three years after that time, his appearance had changed significantly. This year at the marathon, his back was much straightened. Even on the treadmill, his straightened back caught everyone’s attention. When his posture became more stable, everyone said, “It’s fortunate.”
In addition, Lee Bong-joo improved even more in just two months. He said that his recovery speed had accelerated through strenuous efforts. The result he obtained through desperate efforts to overcome the rare disease. Thus, Lee Bong-joo, who ran after four years. After 24 years, he conveyed the legend that his record had not been broken, saying, “Let’s keep working steadily to encourage junior runners to run as well.” He also pledged his return.
Looking at Lee Bong-joo like that, Lee Hyeong-taek said, “When you clap and leave, it means to retire from your athlete days. When I was contemplating retirement, Lee Bong-joo said to just keep going until I’m done. It was a motivating word.” Lee Hyeong-taek said, “I felt sorry to clap and leave,” and Lee Bong-joo also left a quote saying, “If you keep working steadily, something will come out. Life has its ups and downs, so life is like a marathon.” /[email protected]