WrestlerSouth KoreanOlympicsAsian Games

Kim Jin-soo (wrestler)

South Korean Greco-Roman wrestler Kim Jin-soo competed in two Olympics, winning an Asian Games gold and multiple other international medals.

1. Early Life and Career Beginnings

Kim Jin-soo's athletic journey began in South Korea, leading him to a prominent career in Greco-Roman wrestling, where he trained under a dedicated coach and for a specific sports club.

1.1. Birth and Early Life

Kim Jin-soo was born on May 15, 1974, in Seoul, South Korea. Details about his early childhood and family background are not extensively documented, but his birthplace indicates his origins within the South Korean capital.

1.2. Wrestling Career Beginnings

Kim Jin-soo embarked on his wrestling career focusing on the Greco-Roman style. He trained for the Korean Housing Company Sports Club, a significant affiliation throughout his competitive years. His personal coach, Kim Chang-duk, played a crucial role in his development and training, guiding him through his amateur wrestling career.

2. Major Competitions and Achievements

Kim Jin-soo's career was marked by consistent participation and notable successes in various international wrestling competitions, including multiple Olympic appearances, World Championships, and regional games.

2.1. Olympic Games

Kim Jin-soo competed in two Summer Olympic Games, representing South Korea in the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney editions, where he demonstrated his skill against top international competitors.

2.1.1. 1996 Atlanta Olympics

Kim Jin-soo made his Olympic debut at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, competing in the men's welterweight category (74 kg). He began his campaign impressively by defeating Sweden's Torbjörn Kornbakk with a decisive 11-0 score. However, his progress was halted in the next round by the defending champion, Mnatsakan Iskandaryan of Russia, who secured a 4-0 victory. Entering the repechage stage, Kim managed to avenge his earlier defeat by overcoming U.S. wrestler Gordy Morgan with a close 3-2 verdict. His Olympic run in Atlanta concluded after he lost his subsequent bout to Bulgarian opponent Stoyan Stoyanov by a score of 5-0, a match that reportedly left him injured.

2.1.2. 2000 Sydney Olympics

Four years later, Kim Jin-soo qualified for his second Olympic appearance at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, competing in the men's middleweight division (76 kg). His qualification was secured seven months prior to the Games when he won the final match of the second Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tashkent, defeating Uzbekistan's Evgeny Erofalyov for the top spot. In Sydney, Kim dominated his three-man preliminary pool by overcoming Azerbaijan's Khvicha Bichinashvili (3-2) and Turkey's Nazmi Avluca (3-1), which secured his advancement to the next round. In the quarterfinals, he faced Finland's Marko Yli-Hannuksela, who would go on to win the bronze medal, and lost with a score of 0-3. Despite this setback, Kim rebounded in the consolation match for fifth place, where he achieved a powerful 9-0 victory over Sweden's Ara Abrahamian, marking a significant improvement from his performance at the previous Olympics.

2.2. World Championships

Kim Jin-soo achieved notable success at the World Wrestling Championships, securing two bronze medals during his career. He earned his first bronze medal in the 76 kg category at the 2001 World Wrestling Championships held in Patras, Greece. Two years later, he added another bronze medal to his collection, this time in the 74 kg division, at the 2003 World Wrestling Championships in Créteil, France.

2.3. Asian Games

At the 2002 Asian Games held in Busan, South Korea, Kim Jin-soo delivered a memorable performance, capping off his career with a gold medal. Competing in the men's 74 kg division, he triumphed over Kazakhstan's Danil Khalimov in the final. The match ended in a 3-3 draw, with Kim securing the victory by being the last to score, much to the delight of the home crowd.

2.4. Asian Wrestling Championships

Kim Jin-soo was a prominent figure at the Asian Wrestling Championships, where he claimed two gold medals. He won his first gold in the 74 kg category at the 1996 Asian Wrestling Championships in Xiaoshan, China. His second gold medal at the Asian Championships came in the 74 kg division at the 1999 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

2.5. Olympic Qualification Tournaments

Beyond his direct Olympic appearances, Kim Jin-soo demonstrated his competitive prowess in Olympic qualification events. Notably, he secured his spot for the 2000 Sydney Olympics by winning the second Olympic Qualification Tournament in Tashkent, where he defeated Evgeny Erofalyov of Uzbekistan in the final match.

3. Personal Life

Information regarding Kim Jin-soo's personal life, such as his marital status or family details, is not publicly available in the provided sources.

4. Post-Wrestling Career

Following his retirement from competitive wrestling, Kim Jin-soo transitioned into a professional role. He became a full-time employee for the Korean Housing Company, the same entity that sponsored his sports club throughout his wrestling career.

5. Evaluation and Impact

Kim Jin-soo's career as a Greco-Roman wrestler is characterized by his consistent performance at the highest levels of international competition. His multiple Olympic appearances, coupled with his significant medal haul from the World Championships, Asian Games, and Asian Championships, underscore his status as a leading figure in South Korean wrestling during his era. His gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in his home country of South Korea was a particular highlight, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure and contribute to national sporting pride. His dedication to the sport, training with the Korean Housing Company Sports Club under coach Kim Chang-duk, highlights a structured and disciplined approach to his athletic pursuits. Kim Jin-soo's achievements contributed to South Korea's standing in international wrestling and provided inspiration for future generations of athletes.