1. Overview
Lim Su-jeong (임수정Im Su-jeongKorean (林秀貞Lim Su-jeongKorean)); born August 20, 1986) is a distinguished former South Korean taekwondo practitioner. She is best known for her gold medal victory at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, where she dominated the women's 126 lb (57 kg) category. Her illustrious career also includes gold medals at the World Taekwondo Championships, Asian Games, and Summer Universiade, establishing her as one of South Korea's most successful taekwondo athletes. After her retirement from competitive sport, Lim Su-jeong transitioned into a career in public service, becoming a police officer, continuing her dedication to her country beyond the athletic arena. Her achievements highlight her resilience, dedication, and significant contribution to South Korean sports.
2. Early Life and Education
Lim Su-jeong's journey began in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province, where she was born on August 20, 1986. Her early life laid the foundation for her athletic prowess, leading her to become a celebrated taekwondo champion.
2.1. Birth and Childhood
Lim Su-jeong first encountered taekwondo in the second grade of Donggok Elementary School in Gyeonggi Province, accompanying her older sister to a dojang. She displayed remarkable athleticism from a young age, actively participating in the track and field club and excelling in local competitions held within Bucheon. Her formal transition into a professional taekwondo athlete began upon her enrollment in Buin Middle School. During her second year of middle school, she achieved first place in the National Junior Sports Festival, signaling her immense potential. By her third year of middle school and second year of high school, she was selected as a junior national representative, securing first place twice at the Asian Junior Taekwondo Championships. This early success, particularly her gold medal win at the 2002 Asian Games while still a high school freshman, quickly marked her as a rising star and a hopeful prospect for Korean taekwondo.
2.2. Educational Background
Lim Su-jeong pursued a comprehensive academic and athletic path throughout her formative years. She attended Donggok Elementary School and Buin Middle School, both in Bucheon, before advancing to Seoul Physical Education High School, a specialized institution for elite athletes. She later matriculated at Kyung Hee University, a renowned institution for taekwondo studies, where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Taekwondo. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master's degree in Physical Education from Kyung Hee University's Graduate School of Physical Education.
3. Taekwondo Career
Lim Su-jeong's taekwondo career is marked by a series of significant achievements and a period of perseverance, culminating in her historic Olympic gold medal. Her journey reflects a steadfast commitment to the sport from her junior years through her retirement.
3.1. Junior and Early Senior Period
Even as a freshman in high school in 2002, Lim Su-jeong made an early mark by winning a gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games. Despite this early success, she faced a challenging period of approximately five years during her collegiate career. Throughout this time, until her fourth year of university, she consistently placed second or third in national team selection trials, preventing her from securing a spot on the coveted senior national team roster. This period of consistent near-misses underscored the intense competition within South Korean taekwondo and highlighted her unwavering dedication as she continued to strive for national representation.
3.2. Major International Competitions
Lim Su-jeong competed with distinction in numerous major international taekwondo tournaments, consistently achieving top honors and demonstrating her world-class skill.
3.2.1. Asian Games and Universiade
At the age of 16, Lim Su-jeong secured her first major international gold medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. Competing in the flyweight (-112 lb (51 kg)) category, she defeated Yaowapa Boorapolchai of Thailand, who would later become a bronze medalist at the 2004 Summer Olympics. Her success continued at the 2007 Summer Universiade, held in Bangkok, Thailand. In this competition, she claimed the gold medal in the featherweight (-130 lb (59 kg)) division, overcoming Chonnapas Premwaew, also of Thailand and a 2005 World Championship bronze medalist, with a decisive score of 8-1 in the final match.
3.2.2. Olympic Games
Lim Su-jeong's most notable achievement came at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. She qualified for the Games by securing first place in the -126 lb (57 kg) category at the World Qualification Tournament held in Manchester, England. At the Olympics, she delivered a dominant performance, ultimately winning the gold medal in the women's 126 lb (57 kg) category. In the final, she triumphed over Azize Tanrıkulu of Turkey, sealing her place as an Olympic champion.
3.2.3. World Championships
Lim Su-jeong demonstrated her prowess on the global stage at the World Taekwondo Championships. In 2009, she earned a gold medal in the lightweight division at the 2009 World Taekwondo Championships held in Copenhagen, Denmark. Two years later, she added another medal to her collection, securing a bronze medal in the featherweight category at the 2011 World Taekwondo Championships in Gyeongju, South Korea.
3.3. Professional Team and National Team Activities
Throughout her active career, Lim Su-jeong was a prominent member of both professional taekwondo teams and the esteemed South Korean national team. Her national team selections include:
- 2002: Member of the South Korean Women's Taekwondo National Team for the 14th Busan Asian Games.
- 2007: Member of the South Korean Women's Taekwondo National Team for the Bangkok Summer Universiade.
- 2008: Member of the South Korean Women's Taekwondo National Team for the 29th Beijing Olympics.
- 2009: Member of the South Korean National Team for the Denmark World Taekwondo Championships.
- 2011: Member of the South Korean National Team for the Gyeongju World Taekwondo Championships.
In terms of professional club affiliations, she competed for the Suwon City Hall team from May 2009 to December 2011, and subsequently for the S1 Taekwondo Team from January 2012 to December 2013.
4. Post-Retirement Career
Following her successful career as a professional taekwondo athlete, Lim Su-jeong embarked on a new path in public service. She transitioned into a career as a police officer in South Korea. In 2016, she was notably assigned to the Mobile Patrol Unit at the Gyeongsan Police Station, demonstrating her continued commitment to serving the community and her country.
5. Awards and Honors
Lim Su-jeong's remarkable career was recognized with numerous awards and national honors, reflecting her significant contributions to taekwondo and South Korean sports. These include:
- 2002: Gold Medal, 14th Busan Asian Games (Taekwondo Women's 112 lb (51 kg)).
- 2003: Gold Medal, Asia Junior Championships (Taekwondo).
- 2008: Gold Medal, 29th Beijing Olympics (Taekwondo Women's 126 lb (57 kg)).
- 2009: Rookie of the Year Award, 14th Coca-Cola Sports Awards.
- 2009: Gold Medal, World Taekwondo Championships (Women's Lightweight).
- October 15, 2013: Awarded the Order of Sports Merit, Cheongnyong Medal (1st Class), one of South Korea's highest civilian honors for athletic achievement.
6. Legacy and Impact
Lim Su-jeong's career left a significant legacy within the South Korean taekwondo community and broader national sports landscape. Her early success at the Asian Games as a young athlete, followed by a challenging period of perseverance before finally achieving Olympic gold, served as an inspiring narrative of dedication and resilience. Her victory at the 2008 Summer Olympics solidified her status as a national hero and brought immense pride to South Korea. Beyond her athletic achievements, her decision to transition into a career as a police officer further cemented her image as a role model, demonstrating a commitment to public service and utilizing her discipline and dedication in a new capacity. Lim Su-jeong is remembered not only for her numerous medals but also for her journey of overcoming obstacles and her continued contribution to society.