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Cha Min Kyu

Republic of Korea

SportSpeed Skating
FederationIDSSKOR11603199301
NOCRepublic of Korea
Born16 Mar 1993 in  Seoul
GenderMen
OccupationAthlete
LanguagesKorean
Higher educationPhysical Education - Korea National Sport University: Seoul, KOR
Personal Bests
EventRecordDateLocation 
Personal Bests
  Event RecordDateLocation 
    500m 34.03 10 Mar 2019 Salt Lake City, UT  
    1000m 1:07.32 12 Dec 2021 Calgary  
    1500m 1:51.33 10 Sep 2016 Calgary  
Main Achievements
 
Main Achievements
Olympic Games
Event  
Olympic Games
    500m   2    
World Single Distances Championships
Event  
World Single Distances Championships
    Team Sprint   1    
World Sprint Championships
Event  
World Sprint Championships
    Overall     1  
Social Media
Social Media
instagram.com/93_316  
Sport Specific Information
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sportHe began skating to improve his health. His coach at university then suggested he should focus on the sport.  
When and where did you begin this sport?He began skating in grade three of primary school in Anyang, Republic of Korea. He initially took up short track before switching to speed skating in 2011.  
General Interest
General Interest
InjuriesIn 2021 he sustained an injury to his pelvis. (woman.donga.com, 02 Apr 2022; kookje.co.kr, 13 Feb 2022)

He tore a ligament in his right ankle in 2013. The injury meant he missed the 2013 National Selection Trials for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. He required one-year rehabilitation period. (mbn.co.kr, 06 Apr 2022; sportsseoul.com, 29 Mar 2018; vogue.co.kr, 28 Mar 2018; Athlete, 11 Nov 2017)		  
Most influential person in careerHis parents. (woman.donga.com, 02 Apr 2022)  
AmbitionsTo win gold at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. (mbn.co.kr, 06 Apr 2022)  
Sporting philosophy / motto"Lead a life of virtue." (Athlete, 17 Nov 2018)  
Hero / IdolKorean speed skater Lee Sang-Hwa. (mbn.co.kr, 06 Apr 2022)  
Awards and honoursHe was flag bearer for the Republic of Korea at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. (sports.hankooki.com, 20 Feb 2022)  
NicknamesCha-Syong ['Syong' is an onomatopoeic word that his teammates use to describe him skating fast], Ildan Fairy ['Ildan' means 'first of all' in English, and his fans gave him the nickname after noticing he uses the phrase regularly]. (woman.donga.com, 02 Apr 2022; vogue.co.kr, 28 Mar 2018)  
Championships results
Year Competition Event Rank  
Championships results
    2018/2019 World Single Distances Championships Team Sprint2  
    2022 Olympic Games 500m2  
    2018 Olympic Games 500m2  
    2019/2020 World Sprint Championships Overall3  
    2018/2019 World Single Distances Championships 500m4  
    2019/2020 World Single Distances Championships 500m7  
    2017/2018 World Sprint Championships Overall11  
    2018 Olympic Games 1000m12  
    2016/2017 World Single Distances Championships 500m12  
    2022 Olympic Games 1000m18  
World Cups
Year Competition Event Rank  
World Cups
    2019/2020 World Cup Four Continents Championships Team Sprint1  
    2021/2022 World Cup Four Continents Championships 500m2  
    2017/2018 World Cup Calgary, AB 500m2  
    2018/2019 World Cup Salt Lake City, UT 500m2  
    2021/2022 World Cup Four Continents Championships Team Sprint2  
    2016/2017 World Cup Nagano 500m3  
    2018/2019 World Cup 500m6  
    2019/2020 World Cup 500m15  
    2021/2022 World Cup 1000m17  
    2017/2018 World Cup 500m17  
    2016/2017 World Cup 500m18  
    2021/2022 World Cup 500m19  
    2016/2017 World Cup 1000m22  
    2018/2019 World Cup 1000m27  
    2017/2018 World Cup Overall35  
    2016/2017 World Cup Overall40  
    2019/2020 World Cup 1000m51