1. Overview
Kim Min-seok (김민석Gim MinseokKorean, born February 9, 1993) is a prominent South Korean Greco-Roman wrestler. He competes primarily in the super heavyweight category, typically around 287 lb (130 kg). Throughout his career, Kim has achieved significant international recognition, notably earning bronze medals at the World Wrestling Championships and the Asian Games, and multiple silver and bronze medals at the Asian Wrestling Championships. His achievements include being the first Asian wrestler to medal in the super heavyweight division at the World Wrestling Championships.
2. Early life and background
Kim Min-seok was born on February 9, 1993. Specific details regarding his place of birth or his early life and initial foray into wrestling are not extensively documented in public sources.
3. Career
Kim Min-seok's professional wrestling career is marked by consistent participation and notable medal-winning performances in major international competitions across Asia and the world.
3.1. Early career
Details regarding the initial stages of Kim Min-seok's wrestling career, including his formative years as an athlete and his early competitive activities, are not explicitly detailed in the provided sources. His earliest recorded international participation appears to be in 2017.
3.2. International competitions
Kim Min-seok has been a regular participant in several of the most prestigious international wrestling tournaments, consistently demonstrating his competitive prowess in the super heavyweight category.
3.2.1. World Championships
Kim Min-seok has competed in the World Wrestling Championships on multiple occasions. In 2017, he participated in the 287 lb (130 kg) event at the World Championships held in Paris, France, where he was eliminated in his first match. The following year, at the 2018 World Wrestling Championships in Budapest, Hungary, he achieved a significant milestone by winning one of the bronze medals in the 287 lb (130 kg) event. This achievement made him the first Asian wrestler to secure a medal in the super heavyweight division at the World Wrestling Championships. He later competed in the 287 lb (130 kg) event at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia.
3.2.2. Asian Games
Kim Min-seok has earned medals at the Asian Games. In 2018, he won a bronze medal in the 287 lb (130 kg) event at the 2018 Asian Games held in Jakarta, Indonesia. He repeated this success at the 2022 Asian Games, securing another bronze medal in the 287 lb (130 kg) event, which took place in Hangzhou, China.
3.2.3. Asian Championships
Kim Min-seok has a strong record at the Asian Wrestling Championships, consistently securing medals. He earned a bronze medal in the 287 lb (130 kg) event at the 2017 Asian Wrestling Championships held in New Delhi, India. In 2020, he won the silver medal in the 287 lb (130 kg) event at the 2020 Asian Wrestling Championships, also held in New Delhi, India. He continued his silver streak at the 2022 Asian Wrestling Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, where he again secured a silver medal in his weight class. Most recently, in 2024, he won a silver medal at the 2024 Asian Wrestling Championships held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
3.2.4. Olympic Games
Kim Min-seok represented South Korea at the 2020 Summer Olympics held in Tokyo, Japan. He competed in the men's 287 lb (130 kg) Greco-Roman event during the games.
3.3. Medal record
Below is a summary of Kim Min-seok's major international medals:
| Representing South Korea | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Asian Championships | New Delhi, India | Bronze | Greco-Roman 287 lb (130 kg) | |
| 2018 | Asian Games | Jakarta, Indonesia | Bronze | Greco-Roman 287 lb (130 kg) | |
| World Championships | Budapest, Hungary | Bronze | Greco-Roman 287 lb (130 kg) | ||
| 2020 | Asian Championships | New Delhi, India | Silver | Greco-Roman 287 lb (130 kg) | |
| 2022 | Asian Championships | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | Silver | Greco-Roman 287 lb (130 kg) | |
| 2024 | Asian Championships | Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan | Silver | Greco-Roman 287 lb (130 kg) | |
4. Personal life
Beyond his wrestling career, public information regarding Kim Min-seok's personal life, such as family relationships or specific interests outside of the sport, is not widely available in the provided sources.
5. Legacy and reception
Kim Min-seok's career has made a notable impact within the sport of wrestling, particularly within South Korea and the wider Asian wrestling community.
5.1. Achievements and impact
Kim Min-seok's most significant contribution to wrestling is his achievement as the first Asian wrestler to win a medal in the super heavyweight division at the World Wrestling Championships, a bronze in 2018. This accomplishment set a precedent and demonstrated the growing competitiveness of Asian wrestlers in a category traditionally dominated by European athletes. His consistent medal-winning performances at the Asian Games and Asian Championships underscore his status as a leading Greco-Roman wrestler in the region. These achievements contribute to the sport's profile in South Korea and serve as an inspiration for aspiring wrestlers.
5.2. Criticism and controversies
The available sources do not indicate any public criticisms or controversies related to Kim Min-seok's career or personal actions. His public persona appears to be largely defined by his athletic achievements.