Kwak Yoon-Gy

Reason for choosing this sport	He took up short track as a hobby in order to increase his fitness.
When and where did you begin this sport?	He began skating at age six at an ice rink in Mokdong, Republic of Korea.
Club / Team	Goyang City Hall: Republic of Korea

Other information

OTHER ACTIVITIES In 2019 he started a YouTube channel, where he uploads videos up to three times a week. His intention is to boost the popularity of short track through his videos. The channel had about 170,000 subscribers before the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, but that number has since exceeded one million. "I thought that it was a system error on YouTube, after seeing the popularity of my channel skyrocket in the lead-up to the Games." (MBC, 02 Mar 2022; YouTube channel, 29 Oct 2021; joongang.co.kr, 27 May 2021) RACE FIXING In May 2010 he was banned from competition for three years by the Korea Skating Union [KSU] as a result of his involvement in rigging the outcome of short track races. Along with national teammate Lee Jung-Su, he was punished by a special joint committee comprised of members of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korean Olympic Committee [KOC] and the KSU. The pair later had their suspensions reduced to six months on appeal, but Kwak's coach Jeon Jae-Mok was given a life ban. (unn.net, 03 Feb 2011; usatoday.com, 19 May 2010; koreatimes.co.kr, 05 May 2010)

Name of coach

Mo Ji-Soo [club], KOR

Sporting philosophy / motto

"Dreams come true." (Athlete, 29 Nov 2021)

instagram.com/yoongykwak/

Injuries	He had a metal pin inserted into his ankle in March 2013, which meant he was unable to compete at the 2013 World Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. He returned to competition one month later. (Athlete, 09 Dec 2015; mediaus.co.kr, 15 Apr 2013; ohmynews.com, 27 Feb 2013)
Awards and honours	He and his teammates received an Excellent Group Award at the 2010 Coca-Cola Athletics Awards Ceremony in the Republic of Korea. The honour was in recognition of their performance in the 5000m relay at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. (yonhapnews.co.kr, 31 Mar 2010)
Hobbies	Making YouTube videos. (Athlete, 29 Nov 2021)
Nicknames	Kwakjabayoongy [translates to 'Hold on tight Yoon-Gy', which is the name of his YouTube channel]. (Athlete, 29 Nov 2021)