‘Physical: Asia’ Ssireum Prodigy Kim Min-jae Dominates Baekdu Division at ‘2026 Goesan Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournament,’ Secures 22nd Career Victory

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Ssireum star Kim Min-jae (24, Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Team) has ridden the victory palanquin for the 22nd time in his career.

Kim Min-jae clinched the championship by defeating Ma Gwon-su (Mungyeong City Hall) 3-0 in the final match for the Baekdu Jangsa title (under 140 kg, best of five) at the Withers Pharmaceutical 2026 Goesan Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournament held on the 11th at the Goesan Culture and Sports Center in Goesan County, Chungcheongbuk-do.

With this victory, Kim Min-jae has collected his 22nd career Jangsa title. He has stood atop the podium 19 times as Baekdu Jangsa and three times as Cheonha Jangsa.

After defeating Lee Jae-gwang (Yeongwol County Hall) 2-0 in the quarterfinals, Kim Min-jae advanced to the final by overcoming Park Chan-ju (Taean County Hall) 2-1 in the semifinals.

In the Baekdu Jangsa final, facing Ma Gwon-su, who was challenging for his first-ever Baekdu Jangsa title, Kim Min-jae seized the initiative by successfully executing a Japchae technique in the first round. He then took a 2-0 lead by knocking down his opponent with a Miul-chigi (pushing strike) in the second round.

Having secured the winning momentum, Kim Min-jae successfully executed another Japchae technique in the third round, putting a definitive end to the match with a final score of 3-0.

With this win, Kim Min-jae has achieved a three-peat at the tournament, claiming the Baekdu Jangsa title for the third consecutive year following his victories in the 2024 and 2025 Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournaments.

Kim Min-jae is renowned not only for his skill but also for his overwhelming physical attributes. He appeared as a Han Guk-tim (CEO) contestant on the Netflix series ‘Physical: Asia,’ showcasing the explosive power, agility, and monster-like physique characteristic of ssireum athletes, thereby raising the global profile of ssireum and garnering immense popularity.

■ Match Results for the Baekdu Jangsa Final at the ‘Withers Pharmaceutical 2026 Goesan Chuseok Jangsa Ssireum Tournament’

- Baekdu Jangsa: Kim Min-jae (Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Team)

- 2nd Place: Ma Gwon-su (Mungyeong City Hall)

- Tied for 3rd Place: Baek Won-jong (Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Team), Park Chan-ju (Taean County Hall)

- Tied for 5th Place: Park Jung-hyeon (Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Team), Kim Chan-young (MG Saemaul Geumgo Ssireum Team), Yoon Hee-jun (Changwon Metropolitan City Hall), Lee Jae-gwang (Yeongwol County Hall)

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original