Park In Wook

Republic of Korea

Higher education	Physical Education - Korea National Sport University: Seoul, KOR
Languages	Korean
Residence	Seoul, KOR

General Interest

Injuries	In 2009 he fractured his left femur [thigh bone] after falling during training and colliding with the fence. He underwent surgery to insert a metal rod in his leg and was initially sidelined for five months. He required a second operation in 2012 after refracturing his left femur and was sidelined for a further nine months. (Athlete, 05 Dec 2019; mbcsportsplus.com, 10 Apr 2019; icenews.tistory.com, 12 Feb 2012) He suffered a back injury in 2008. (mbcsportsplus.com, 10 Apr 2019) He broke his nose in 2003. (Athlete, 05 Dec 2019) In 2002 he fractured his right ankle. (Athlete, 05 Dec 2019)
Memorable sporting achievement	Placing third in the 500m at the 2019 World Cup event in Nagoya, Japan. (Athlete, 25 Nov 2021)

Sport Specific Information

Reason for choosing this sport

He began skating so he could spend time with his friends.

General Interest

Most influential person in career	Korean short track skaters Kwak Yoon-Gy and Lee Ho-Suk, coach Baek Kuk-Kun, Russian short track skater Victor An. (Athlete, 06 Feb 2020, 05 Dec 2019, 25 Nov 2021)
Hero / Idol	Russian short track skater Victor An. (Athlete, 05 Dec 2019)

Sport Specific Information

When and where did you begin this sport?

He took up the sport in 2001 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

General Interest

Sporting philosophy / motto	"Believe in yourself. Don't compare yourself to others." (Athlete, 05 Dec 2019)
Other information	RETIREMENT THOUGHTS He considered retiring from the sport in late 2018 after struggling with his form and having his contract with Hwangseong City Hall terminated. However, he decided to continue skating after he was called up to the Korean national team for the first time ahead of the 2019/20 season. "My career began to decline when I suffered the second fracture to my left thigh in 2012 in grade 11 of high school. My doctor even recommended I change my career path. I was afraid because I couldn't skate like before, after a nine-month break. I wanted to have a fresh start at the Korea National Sport University, but it didn't go as well as I wished and I considered retiring in my last year of university. However, I couldn't say the words 'give up' to my parents who had sacrificed a lot for me and dreamed of me representing the Republic of Korea. I wasn't able to find a new club until the beginning of 2019, so I decided to think about my future, which depended on the outcome of the national team selection trials in April 2019. I skated for three months like it was my last chance to skate, so I prepared for the trials without any regrets." (mbcsportsplus.com, 10 Apr 2019; daejonilbo.com, 02 Feb 2020)

Social Media

General Interest

Hobbies	Playing video games. (Athlete, 25 Nov 2021)
Ambitions	To win a medal at the Olympic Winter Games. (Athlete, 25 Nov 2021)

World Cups	Year	Competition	Event	Rank
World Cups
	2019/2020	Nagoya	2000m Relay	1
	2021/2022	Dordrecht	5000m Relay	1
	2019/2020	Dresden	5000m Relay	1
	2019/2020	Montreal, QC	5000m Relay	2
	2019/2020	Salt Lake City, UT	5000m Relay	2
	2019/2020	Montreal, QC	1000m	2
	2019/2020	Nagoya	1500m	2
	2019/2020	Nagoya	5000m Relay	2
	2021/2022	Debrecen	5000m Relay	2
	2019/2020	Dordrecht	2000m Relay	2
	2019/2020	Salt Lake City, UT	2000m Relay	3
	2019/2020	Nagoya	500m	3
	2019/2020	Shanghai	5000m Relay	3
	2019/2020	Salt Lake City, UT	500m	5
	2019/2020	Shanghai	500m	5
	2019/2020	Dresden	2000m Relay	5
	2019/2020	Dresden	500m	6
	2019/2020	World Cup Classification	1500m	7
	2019/2020	Salt Lake City, UT	1500m	7
	2019/2020	World Cup Classification	500m	8
	2019/2020	World Cup Classification	1000m	8
	2019/2020	Shanghai	500m	10
	2021/2022	World Cup Classification	1000m	51
	2021/2022	World Cup Classification	500m	53