Badminton player Kim Won-ho has been awarded the Grand Prize of Sports, Korea’s most prestigious sporting honor, following a phenomenal 2025 season that saw him achieve unprecedented success on the BWF World Tour. The 27-year-old Samsung Life athlete secured 11 tournament victories and claimed the men’s doubles title at the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the sport.
The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) announced Kim Won-ho as the recipient of the award on Wednesday, recognizing his significant contributions to the development and promotion of sports in Korea. This honor comes after careful deliberation by the Sports Fairness Committee and approval at the 12th board meeting on January 2, with a total of 93 individuals and five organizations being recognized across eight categories.
A Season of Dominance: Kim Won-ho’s Achievements
Kim Won-ho’s remarkable 2025 season culminated in a gold medal at the 2025 BWF World Championships in Paris, partnering with Seo Seung-jae. The duo defeated the Chinese pair of Chen Boyang and Liu Yi 21-17, 21-12 in the final, marking their first world title together. This victory followed a string of successes throughout the year, resulting in an unprecedented 11 titles on the BWF World Tour.
Seo Seung-jae and Kim Won-ho’s partnership has proven to be exceptionally successful. Prior to teaming up again in 2025, they had previously played together from 2017 to 2018. Seo had previously won a world title in 2023 with a different partner, Kang Min-hyuk. Kim Won-ho currently holds the world number 1 ranking in men’s doubles with Seo Seung-jae, as of March 3, 2026, according to the Badminton World Federation (BWF). He as well achieved a career-high ranking of number 3 in mixed doubles with Jeong Na-eun on December 31, 2024.
Beyond Badminton: Recognizing Excellence Across Korean Sport
Kim Won-ho wasn’t the only athlete celebrated at the KSOC Sports Awards. Cyclist Choi Tae-ho (Gangwon Province Cycling Federation) and shooter Ban Hyo-jin (Daegu Sports High School) received Top Excellence Awards in the athletics category. Weightlifting coach Lee Se-won (Goyang City Hall) and judo coach Jeong Seong-suk (Yongin University) were honored in the coaching category, while judo official Kim Eun-hee (Korea Judo Association) received recognition in officiating. Roller sports athlete Cha Du-yeon (Busan Metropolitan Roller Sports Federation) was awarded in the recreational sports category.
Excellence Awards and Encouragement Awards were also presented to a total of 84 individuals and seven organizations, acknowledging their contributions to various aspects of Korean sport. The Grand Prize of Sports recipient, Kim Won-ho, will receive a plaque and a special prize in recognition of his outstanding achievements.
A Legacy in the Making
Kim Won-ho’s success extends beyond his recent achievements. He was a silver medalist in the mixed doubles at the 2024 Summer Olympics and in the men’s doubles at the 2022 Asian Games. He was also part of the Korean team that won the Sudirman Cup in 2017, 2023, and 2025. Notably, Kim Won-ho is the son of Olympic gold medalist Gil Young-ah, continuing a family tradition of sporting excellence.
With his continued success and dedication to the sport, Kim Won-ho is poised to remain a leading figure in badminton for years to come. His achievements serve as an inspiration to aspiring athletes across Korea, and beyond. The focus now shifts to upcoming tournaments and the continued pursuit of excellence as he aims to build upon his already impressive legacy.
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