Kim Tae-woo (wrestler)

Kim Tae-Woo (Korean김태우; Hanja金泰雨; born March 7, 1962, in Gimje, North Jeolla Province) is a retired South Korean freestyle wrestler, four-time Olympian and Olympic Bronze Medalist. Kim represented South Korea for 15 years in freestyle wrestling and is considered the greatest South Korean heavyweight wrestler of all time.

Kim Tae-woo
Medal record
Representing  South Korea
Men's freestyle wrestling
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Seoul 90 kg
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1990 Beijing 100 kg
Gold medal – first place 1994 HIroshima 100 kg
Asian Championships
Gold medal – first place 1995 Manila 100 kg
Kim Tae-woo
Hangul
김태우
Hanja
金泰雨
Revised RomanizationGim Tae-u
McCune–ReischauerKim T'ae-u

Career

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Kim received significant international attention at the 1988 Summer Olympics where he won the bronze medal in the freestyle 90 kg class.

Kim won two consecutive gold medals in the freestyle wrestling 100 kg class at the Asian Games (1990 and 1994). However, Kim was given a nickname unlucky fourth place player, finishing in fourth place at the 1991 World Wrestling Championships, 1992 Summer Olympics, 1993 World Wrestling Championships and 1996 Asian Wrestling Championships.

Kim officially retired from competitive wrestling after the 1996 Summer Olympics and began his coach career. He was named the head coach of the South Korean national freestyle wrestling team for the 2000 Summer Olympics and 2002 Asian Games.

Kim currently lives in Dallas, Texas, running his own business.

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