1. Early Life and Background
Baik Hyun-man was born on January 27, 1964, in Sageun-dong, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, South Korea. His physical attributes, including his height of 6.2 ft (1.89 m) and typical competition weight of 201 lb (91 kg), were well-suited for the heavyweight and super heavyweight boxing divisions.
2. Amateur Boxing Career
Baik Hyun-man had a distinguished career as an amateur boxer, marked by significant achievements on both the continental and Olympic stages. His disciplined approach and powerful technique allowed him to compete successfully in the heavyweight and super heavyweight categories throughout his career.
2.1. Career Overview
Baik Hyun-man's boxing journey led him to become one of South Korea's most prominent amateur boxers of his era. He consistently performed at a high level in national and international tournaments, establishing himself as a formidable presence in the heavier weight classes.
2.2. Major International Competitions
Baik Hyun-man's international career was highlighted by multiple medal wins, showcasing his dominance in Asian boxing.
He secured two gold medals at the Asian Games in the super heavyweight division:
- 1986 Seoul: Gold medal in Super Heavyweight.
- 1990 Beijing: Gold medal in Super Heavyweight.
He also achieved significant success at the Asian Amateur Boxing Championships:
- 1985 Bangkok: Gold medal in Super Heavyweight.
- 1987 Kuwait City: Gold medal in Heavyweight.
- 1995 Tashkent: Bronze medal in Super Heavyweight.
2.3. 1988 Seoul Olympics
The pinnacle of Baik Hyun-man's career came at the 1988 Summer Olympics held in his home city of Seoul. His performance there earned him a silver medal, a historic achievement as he became the first Asian boxer to ever reach an Olympic heavyweight final.
2.3.1. Road to the Final
Baik Hyun-man's path to the Olympic final in Seoul involved a series of impressive victories. He received a bye in the first round of the heavyweight tournament. In the second round, he faced Zeljko Mavrovic of Yugoslavia and secured a decisive 5-0 victory. His quarterfinal bout was against Maik Heydeck of East Germany, whom he defeated by Referee Stops Contest (RSC) in the first round. In the semifinal, he met Andrzej Golota of Poland and again triumphed by RSC, this time in the second round, securing his place in the gold medal match.
2.3.2. Detailed Bout Results
The following table details Baik Hyun-man's bouts at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul:
| 1988 Summer Olympics | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | Round | Result | Opponent | Score |
| Heavyweight | First | bye | ||
| Second | Win | Zeljko Mavrovic (Yugoslavia) | 5-0 | |
| Quarterfinal | Win | Maik Heydeck (East Germany) | RSC 1 | |
| Semifinal | Win | Andrzej Golota (Poland) | RSC 2 | |
| Final | Loss | Ray Mercer (United States) | KO 1 | |
In the final match, Baik Hyun-man faced Ray Mercer of the United States. He was knocked out by Mercer in the first round, thus earning the silver medal.
2.4. Post-Olympic Career
Following his Olympic silver medal in 1988, Baik Hyun-man continued his amateur boxing career for several years. He notably won a gold medal at the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing in the super heavyweight category, demonstrating sustained performance after his Olympic success. He also earned a bronze medal at the 1995 Asian Amateur Boxing Championships in Tashkent, further solidifying his enduring presence in Asian amateur boxing.
3. Legacy and Assessment
Baik Hyun-man's most significant legacy is his groundbreaking achievement at the 1988 Summer Olympics, where he became the first Asian boxer to compete in an Olympic heavyweight final. This feat shattered long-standing perceptions about Asian boxers' capabilities in higher weight divisions on the global stage. His silver medal was not only a personal triumph but also a source of national pride for South Korea, especially as the games were held in his home country. His consistent performance, including multiple Asian Games and Asian Championships medals, established him as one of the most accomplished amateur heavyweights from the Asian continent, inspiring future generations of boxers.