Print the Biography/Short

Ko Byung-Wook

Republic of Korea

SportSpeed Skating
FederationIDSSKOR12401199001
NOCRepublic of Korea
Born24 Jan 1990 in  Seoul
GenderMen
ResidenceSeoul, KOR
Higher educationKorea National Sport University: Seoul, KOR
OccupationAthlete
LanguagesKorean
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 38.33 23 Dec 2014 Seoul  
    1000m 1:12.86 10 Sep 2016 Calgary  
    1500m 1:48.60 23 Sep 2016 Calgary  
    10000m 13:39.42 05 Feb 2011 Astana  
Main Achievements
 
Main Achievements
World Single Distances Championships
Event  
World Single Distances Championships
    Team Pursuit 8 Laps     1  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Club / TeamUijeongbu City Office: Seoul, KOR  
General Interest
General Interest
Hero / IdolUS skater Chad Hedrick. (keny2040.blog.me, 10 Jan 2011)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
When and where did you begin this sport?He took up skating at age seven and began competing in year four of primary school.  
General Interest
General Interest
Sporting philosophy / motto"I don't need any sound, speed is everything." (keny2040.blog.me, 10 Jan 2011)  
Other informationHEARING IMPAIRMENT
He has an hearing impairment as a result of contracting a high fever at age two. He underwent cochlear implant surgery when he was young, which helps provide a sense of sound through a small electronic device. He has also received speech therapy. He chose speed skating over short track because it can be difficult for him to hear the starting gun clearly. (zum.com, 29 Jan 2014; bikewhat.com, 18 Jul 2013; love.web44.net, 13 Jun 2011)

PARA-CYCLIST
He began cycling as a part of his skating training, and became a para-cyclist after entering high school. He won three gold medals at the 2014 National Para Games in Korea. "I want to achieve good results in both speed skating and cycling at international tournaments." (kyeongin.com 06 Nov 2014)
 
Other sportsHe has competed in para-cycling and represented Korea at 2013 Deaflympics in Sofia, Bulgaria. (kyeonggi.com, 07 Nov 2014)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sportHis primary school teacher recommended the sport to him.  
General Interest
General Interest
AmbitionsTo compete at the 2017 Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, Japan, and at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (zum.com, 29 Jan 2014)  
Awards and honoursIn 2012 he and his teammates Lee Seung-Hoon and Joo Hyong-Jun received an Excellent Group Award at the Coca-Cola Athletics Awards in Korea. (newsshare.co.kr, 05 Feb 2012)  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Name of coachErik Bouwman [national], NED  
Social Media
Social Media
www.facebook.com/mykbw124  
Championships results
Year Competition Event Rank  
Championships results
    2014/2015 World Single Distances Championships Team Pursuit 8 Laps3  
    2011/2012 World Single Distances Championships Team Pursuit 8 Laps7  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2014/2015 Heerenveen Team Pursuit 8 Laps1  
    2012/2013 Heerenveen Team Pursuit 8 Laps2  
    2011/2012 Berlin Team Pursuit 8 Laps2  
    2014/2015 Obihiro Team Pursuit 8 Laps2  
    2011/2012 Heerenveen Team Pursuit 8 Laps2  
    2011/2012 Hamar Team Pursuit 8 Laps2  
    2012/2013 Erfurt Team Pursuit 8 Laps2  
    2014/2015 Berlin Team Pursuit 8 Laps2  
    2012/2013 Heerenveen Team Pursuit 8 Laps3  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification Mass Start 20 Laps24  
    2012/2013 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m25  
    2010/2011 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m30  
    2014/2015 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m47  
    2013/2014 World Cup Classification 5000/10000m55