The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) has officially named the late Choi Dong-won as the 2026 South Korea Sports Hero. The decision follows a selection process involving three final candidates, with the legendary pitcher chosen over badminton gold medalist Park Joo-bong and marathon icon Hwang Young-jo.
The KSOC is scheduled to hold an induction ceremony next month to honor the achievements and contributions the late professional baseball player made to the development of Korean sports.
A legacy of dominance on the mound
Known by the nickname “Iron Arm,” Choi Dong-won (1958–2011) remains a central figure in the history of Korean professional baseball. His most defining moment occurred during the 1984 Korean Series, where he led the Lotte Giants to the club’s first championship by facing the Samsung Lions. During that series, Choi appeared on the mound five times, recording an extraordinary 4 wins and 1 loss. In fact, he pitched in games 1, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of that year’s series.
According to historical accounts, Lotte manager Kang Byung-chul originally scheduled Choi to pitch in games 1, 3, 5, and 7. Choi responded to the schedule with the brief phrase, Alget-simdeyo. Ma, ham hae bop-si-deo
(I understand. Let’s give it a try). He ultimately exceeded expectations by pitching in a sixth game that was not part of the original plan. His performance was the decisive force behind Lotte’s inaugural title.
Beyond the 1984 series, Choi maintained a career characterized by elite statistics, including 103 wins, 1,019 strikeouts, and a 2.46 ERA. His career ERA stands as the second-lowest in Korean professional baseball history, trailing only Sun Dong-yeol’s 1.20. On the international stage, he contributed to South Korean victories in the 1977 IBAF Intercontinental Cup and the 1982 Baseball World Cup.
Commitment to the sport after retirement
Following his playing career, Choi continued to influence the sport through various roles, including coach, commentator, KBO game operations committee member, and national team performance analyst.
KSOC President Yoo Seung-min praised the selection, stating, Hero Choi Dong-won is a legendary player who left a great footprint in the history of Korean baseball with indomitable fighting spirit and a challenging spirit. Through this selection as a Sports Hero, I hope the achievements and spirit left by the deceased will be highlighted once again and serve as an example to future generations of athletes.
Committee evaluates athletes for national recognition
The South Korea Sports Hero system selects athletes who have contributed to national prestige and the development of sports, serving as role models for youth and active athletes. The final decision is made by the Sports Hero Selection Committee, which evaluates achievements and public support following candidate recommendations by the KSOC.
This year’s selection featured three prominent finalists:
- Choi Dong-won: The legendary pitcher recognized for his Korean Series heroics and contributions to baseball.
- Park Joo-bong: The 1992 Barcelona Olympics badminton men’s doubles gold medalist and current South Korean national team coach.
- Hwang Young-jo: The 1992 Barcelona Olympics marathon gold medalist, known as the
Hero of Montjuïc.
Park Joo-bong
Park won the men’s doubles gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics alongside partner Kim Moon-soo, during the first year badminton was an official Olympic sport. He also earned a silver medal in mixed doubles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. After coaching in the United Kingdom and Malaysia, he led the Japanese national team to its first Olympic badminton medal in 2012 and its first gold medal in 2016. He was appointed coach of the South Korean national team in April 2025.
Hwang Young-jo
Hwang secured the marathon gold at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics by completing the 42.195km course in 2:13:23, overtaking Japan’s Koichi Morishita. He earned his nickname after his performance on the Montjuïc hill. His victory marked the first Olympic marathon gold for South Korea since Sohn Kee-chung in 1936. He also won gold at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games.
