Kim Tae-woo (wrestler)
Kim Tae-Woo (Hangul: 김태우, Hanja: 金泰雨; born March 7, 1962 in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do) 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.
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
Representing  South Korea | ||
| Men's freestyle wrestling | ||
| Olympic Games | ||
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon} | 1988 Seoul | Light Heavyweight |
| Asian Games | ||
.svg.png.webp){kind=icon} | 1990 Beijing | 100 kg |
| 1994 HIroshima | 100 kg |
| Asian Championships | ||
| 1995 Manila | 100 kg |
| Kim Tae-woo | |
| Hangul | 김태우 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 金泰雨 |
| Revised Romanization | Gim Tae-u |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim T'ae-u |
Career
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.