'Physical: Asia' Wrestling Prodigy Kim Min-jae Claims 'Four Crown Titles This Season – 21st Career Baekdu Champion'

*This content was translated by AI.

At the 'Widus Pharma 2026 Folk Wrestling Mugyeong Omija Champion Ssireum Tournament' Baekdu division (under 140 kg), Kim Min-jae (24, Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Team) was crowned Baekdu Champion, lifting his 21st career Golden Calf trophy (18 Baekdu titles and 3 Cheonha titles).

On the 4th, Kim Min-jae defeated Kim Jin (Jeungpyeong County Office) 3-0 in the Baekdu Champion final (best of five, first to three wins) held at Mugyeong Indoor Gymnasium in Mugyeong, North Gyeongsang Province, securing the championship.

Having previously won the Taean Seollal Champion Ssireum Tournament in February, the Danyang Ondal Champion Ssireum Tournament in March, and the Boeun Dano Champion Ssireum Tournament in June, Kim Min-jae reached the top once again at this event. He achieved four Baekdu titles this season, becoming the recipient of his 21st career Golden Calf trophy.

Kim Min-jae defeated Im Jin-won (Jeongeup City Office) 2-0 in the round of 16, then advanced to the semifinals when Yoon Sung-hee (Dongjak District Office) forfeited in the quarterfinals. He then secured a spot in the final by successfully executing consecutive "push-out" techniques against Ma Kwon-su (Mugyeong City Office).

In the Baekdu Champion final, he faced Kim Jin, who holds 11 career champion titles (9 Baekdu and 2 Cheonha). In the first match, Kim Min-jae gained the upper hand with a "Japchae technique." He followed up in the second match by successfully executing his signature "Deulbaejigi" technique to take a 2-0 lead. Continuing his momentum, Kim Min-jae succeeded with another "Japchae technique" in the third match, sealing the victory with a final score of 3-0.

Kim Min-jae is known not only for his skill but also for his overwhelming physical presence. He appeared as a participant named Han Guk-tim (CEO) on the Netflix series 'Physical: Asia,' showcasing the explosive power, agility, and monstrous physique characteristic of ssireum athletes, thereby raising the profile of ssireum worldwide and gaining immense popularity.

Meanwhile, in the team final held on the same day (best of seven matches between teams, best of three matches between individuals), Jeongeup City Office (Jeollabuk Special Self-Governing Province), led by head coach Park Hee-yeon and coach Jang Seong-bok, defeated MG Saemaeul Geumgo Ssireum Team (Chungcheongnam-do) 4-1 to claim the team championship. Jeongeup City Office secured victory in the final with its stable lineup and solid teamwork, lifting the Golden Calf trophy.

- Baekdu Champion = Kim Min-jae (Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Team)

- Second Place = Kim Jin (Jeungpyeong County Office)

- Third Place (Tied) = Cha Seung-min (Gwangju City Office), Ma Kwon-su (Mugyeong City Office)

- Fifth Place (Tied) = Baek Won-jong (Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Team), Yoon Hee-jun (Changwon Special City Office), Yoon Sung-hee (Dongjak District Office), Seo Nam-geun (Suwon Special City Office)

▶ 'Widus Pharma 2026 Folk Wrestling Mugyeong Omija Champion Ssireum Tournament' Men's General Division Team Match Results

- Champions = Jeongeup City Office (Jeollabuk Special Self-Governing Province)

- Runners-up = MG Saemaeul Geumgo Ssireum Team (Chungcheongnam-do)

- Third Place (Tied) = Yangpyeong County Office (Gyeonggi-do), Yongin Special City Office (Gyeonggi-do)

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*This content was translated by AI.