1. Overview
Oh Eun-su (오은수O EunsuKorean, born January 4, 1993) is a prominent South Korean curler. He is recognized for his role as the second on the South Korean men's team, notably competing at the 2018 Winter Olympics alongside Kim Chang-min. His career highlights include achieving a gold medal at the 2011 Winter Universiade and the 2017 Pacific-Asia Curling Championships, in addition to securing a fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Men's Curling Championship, which marked the South Korean men's team's best performance at the time.
2. Early Life and Background
Oh Eun-su was born on January 4, 1993, in Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea. His early life led him to pursue a career in curling, a sport where he would later achieve significant national and international recognition.
3. Curling Career
Oh Eun-su's curling career spans over a decade, marked by consistent participation and notable achievements in both domestic and international competitions.
3.1. Early Career and Breakthrough
Oh Eun-su began his curling journey, demonstrating early promise that led to significant breakthroughs. His first major international success came in 2011 when he secured a gold medal at the 2011 Winter Universiade held in Erzurum, Turkey. In the same year, he also earned a bronze medal at the 2011 Pacific-Asia Curling Championships in Nanjing, China. Domestically, his early dominance was evident with back-to-back gold medals at the Korean Men's Championship in 2011 (Uijeongbu) and 2012 (Uijeongbu).
3.2. Domestic Competitions
Oh Eun-su has been a consistent presence in the Korean Men's Championship, accumulating a significant medal collection throughout his career.
| Year | Host City | Medal |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Uijeongbu | Gold |
| 2012 | Uijeongbu | Gold |
| 2013 | Chuncheon | Silver |
| 2014 | Cheongju | Silver |
| 2015 | Icheon | Bronze |
| 2016 | Uiseong | Silver |
| 2017 | Icheon | Gold |
3.3. International Competitions
Oh Eun-su has represented South Korea in various international curling events, contributing to some of the nation's most significant achievements in the sport. He competed in one Winter Olympics, one World Men's Curling Championship, and three Pacific-Asia Curling Championships.
His international appearances include:
- Winter Olympics:** Oh Eun-su made his Olympic debut at the 2018 Winter Olympics held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. He played as the second on the South Korean men's team, which was skipped by Kim Chang-min.
- World Men's Curling Championship:** In April 2018, he competed at the 2018 World Men's Curling Championship. The South Korean men's team achieved a fourth-place finish, which was their best performance in the championship to date at that time.
- Pacific-Asia Curling Championships:** Oh Eun-su participated in the Pacific-Asia Curling Championships three times:
- 2011 Nanjing: Bronze Medal
- 2012
- 2017 Erina: Gold Medal
- Winter Universiade:** He earned a gold medal at the 2011 Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey.
4. Affiliation and Activities
Oh Eun-su has been primarily affiliated with the Uiseong Curling Club (Uiseong CC), based in Uiseong, a region known for its strong curling tradition in South Korea. He is also a member of the Gyeongsangbukdo Sports Council, reflecting his connection to the regional sports governing body in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Through these affiliations, he actively participates in the development and promotion of curling within his community and across the nation.
5. Assessment and Legacy
Oh Eun-su's career has been marked by significant contributions to South Korean curling, both through his direct competitive achievements and his consistent presence in the sport.
5.1. Positive Impact and Contributions
Oh Eun-su has played a pivotal role in the success of the South Korean men's curling teams. His gold medals at the 2011 Winter Universiade and the 2017 Pacific-Asia Curling Championships underscore his capability on the international stage. Domestically, his multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals at the Korean Curling Championships demonstrate remarkable consistency and longevity in the sport. His participation as the second for the team that achieved South Korea's best-ever fourth-place finish at the 2018 World Men's Curling Championship further solidified his impact, showcasing the growing strength of Korean curling internationally. His achievements have contributed positively to raising the profile of curling in South Korea.