1. Overview
Jin Yun-seong (진윤성Jin Yun-seongKorean; born October 11, 1995) is a prominent South Korean weightlifter who has achieved significant success on the international stage. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional strength and competitive spirit, contributing positively to South Korean weightlifting. His notable achievements include winning two silver medals at the World Weightlifting Championships in 2019 and 2021, and also securing a silver medal and a bronze medal at the Asian Weightlifting Championships. Jin Yun-seong also represented South Korea at the 2020 Summer Olympics, showcasing his capabilities at the highest level of international competition.
2. Early Life and Background
Jin Yun-seong's journey into weightlifting began in his early life, rooted in his family background and nurtured through his junior athletic career.
2.1. Birth and Family Origins
Jin Yun-seong was born on October 11, 1995, in Seocheon County, South Chungcheong Province, South Korea. He comes from a diverse family background, being the son of a father of Taiwanese Chinese descent and a Korean mother.
2.2. Introduction to Weightlifting and Junior Career
Jin Yun-seong began his weightlifting career at a young age, demonstrating talent that led to his selection for the South Korean junior national team in 2015. In June of the same year, he participated in the 2015 World Junior Weightlifting Championships held in Wrocław, Poland. In this competition, he secured a bronze medal, finishing behind Khetag Khugaev of Russia and Volodymyr Khoza of Ukraine. This early success marked the beginning of his promising career in the sport.
3. Senior Career
Jin Yun-seong's senior career saw him compete at the highest levels of international weightlifting, earning multiple medals at major championships and solidifying his reputation as a formidable athlete.
3.1. World Championships
His first appearance at the World Weightlifting Championships was at the 2017 World Weightlifting Championships in Anaheim, United States, where he competed in the -105 kg division. He lifted a total of 853 lb (387 kg), securing a ninth-place finish overall.
At the 2019 World Weightlifting Championships held in Pattaya, Thailand, Jin Yun-seong competed in the -102 kg class. He delivered a strong performance, lifting 399 lb (181 kg) in the snatch, which earned him a gold medal in that specific discipline. In the clean and jerk, he lifted 476 lb (216 kg), finishing fourth in that lift. His combined total of 875 lb (397 kg) secured him the silver medal overall, placing him behind Yauheni Tsikhanstou of Belarus.
Jin continued his success at the 2021 World Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Competing again in the -102 kg category, he achieved a snatch of 397 lb (180 kg), placing first in the snatch discipline, and a clean and jerk of 476 lb (216 kg). His total of 873 lb (396 kg) earned him another silver medal, with Rasoul Motamedi of Iran taking the gold.
3.2. Olympic Games
In July 2021, Jin Yun-seong made his Olympic Games debut at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. He competed in the -109 kg category, lifting 397 lb (180 kg) in the snatch and 485 lb (220 kg) in the clean and jerk. His total of 882 lb (400 kg) placed him sixth in the competition.
3.3. Asian Championships
At the 2016 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Jin competed in the -94 kg category. He initially finished fourth with a total lift of 869 lb (394 kg). However, following the disqualification of Kazakhstan's Vladimir Sedov due to a doping violation, Jin Yun-seong was retrospectively awarded the bronze medal, placing him behind Ali Hashemi of Iran and fellow South Korean athlete Park Han-woong.
In May 2023, Jin participated in the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships held in Jinju, South Korea. Competing in the -102 kg category, he achieved a snatch of 397 lb (180 kg) and a clean and jerk of 481 lb (218 kg), for a total of 877 lb (398 kg). This performance earned him a silver medal, finishing behind Nurgisa Adiletuly of Kazakhstan.
3.4. Other International Competitions
Jin also participated in the men's 109 kg event at the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China in October 2023. However, he was unfortunately disqualified from the competition.
4. Major Results
The following table summarizes Jin Yun-seong's results in major international weightlifting competitions.
| Year | Venue | Weight | Snatch (kg) | Clean & Jerk (kg) | Total | Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 | Rank | |||||
| Olympic Games | ||||||||||||
| 2020 Summer Olympics (held 2021) | Tokyo, Japan | 109 kg | 180 | 5 | 220 | 5 | 400 | 6 | ||||
| World Championships | ||||||||||||
| 2017 | Anaheim, United States | 105 kg | 180 | 5 | 207 | 12 | 387 | 9 | ||||
| 2019 | Pattaya, Thailand | 102 kg | 176 | 181 | - | 211 | 216 | 4 | 397 | - | ||
| 2021 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | 102 kg | 176 | 180 | - | 216 | 4 | 396 | - | |||
| Asian Championships | ||||||||||||
| 2016 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | 94 kg | 165 | 168 | - | 195 | 200 | - | 368 | - | ||
| 2021 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | 109 kg | 180 | 4 | 220 | 4 | 400 | 4 | ||||
| 2023 | Jinju, South Korea | 102 kg | 175 | 180 | 5 | 213 | 218 | - | 398 | - | ||
5. Assessment
Jin Yun-seong stands as a prominent figure in South Korean weightlifting, consistently demonstrating exceptional strength and competitive spirit throughout his career. His multiple medal wins at major international events, including two silver medals at the World Weightlifting Championships and both silver and bronze medals at the Asian Weightlifting Championships, highlight his sustained performance at the elite level. Notably, his upgrade to a bronze medal at the 2016 Asian Championships due to a doping violation by a competitor underscores his dedication to fair play and the integrity of the sport. His participation in the Olympic Games further solidifies his status as a top athlete. Jin Yun-seong's career serves as an inspiration, contributing significantly to the reputation and development of weightlifting in South Korea.