Kim Jin crowned Baekdu Ssireum champion at Uiseong Garlic Ssireum Tournament, riding in a flower palanquin for the 12th time

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Kim Jin (Jeungpyeong County Hall) rode in a flower palanquin for the 12th time.

Kim Jin (Jeungpyeong County Hall) defeated Kim Dong-hyun (Yongin Metropolitan City Hall) 3-0 in the final match (best of five) to determine the Baekdu Ssireum champion (140 kg and under division) at the "Withers Pharmaceutical 2026 Folk Ssireum Uiseong Garlic Ssireum Tournament," held on the 6th at the Uiseong Comprehensive Gymnasium in Uiseong County, North Gyeongsang Province, to secure his 12th career champion title (10 Baekdu Ssireum titles and 2 Cheonha Ssireum titles).

Kim Jin, who last stood atop the podium at the 2023 Chuseok Tournament, was crowned Baekdu Ssireum champion again after three years, lifting his 12th career bull trophy.

After defeating Kim Bo-hyun (Gumi City Hall) 2-0 in the round of 16, Kim Jin advanced to the semifinals via walkover due to the withdrawal of Jang Seong-woo (MG Saemaul Geumgo Ssireum Team) in the quarterfinals. In the subsequent semifinal, he secured a spot in the final by successfully executing consecutive Andari and Eokgyeolgyeochigi techniques against Kim Byung-ho (Ulju County Hall).

In the Baekdu Ssireum final, he faced Kim Dong-hyun, who has won the Baekdu Ssireum title four times in his career.

Kim Jin took the early lead by successfully executing a Mireuchigi technique in the first round and maintained a 2-0 lead in the second round using the same technique. Riding the momentum, Kim Jin finished the match with a final score of 3-0 by successfully executing his signature Deulbaejigi technique in the third round.

With this victory, Kim Jin reclaimed the Baekdu Ssireum title after three years, claiming his 10th career Baekdu Ssireum title and his 12th overall champion title (10 Baekdu Ssireum titles and 2 Cheonha Ssireum titles).

Meanwhile, in the team final held on the same day (best of seven between teams, best of three between individuals), the MG Saemaul Geumgo Ssireum Team (South Chungcheong Province), led by Head Coach Park Sang-gyu and Coach Lee Young-ho, defeated Yangpyeong County Hall (Gyeonggi Province) 4-0 to win the team championship. The MG Saemaul Geumgo Ssireum Team, which had never won a team title since its founding, finally enjoyed the joy of their first-ever team championship at this tournament.

■ Match Results: Baekdu Ssireum Final, "Withers Pharmaceutical 2026 Folk Ssireum Uiseong Garlic Ssireum Tournament"

Baekdu Ssireum Champion = Kim Jin (Jeungpyeong County Hall)

2nd Place = Kim Dong-hyun (Yongin Metropolitan City Hall)

Joint 3rd Place = Kim Byung-ho (Ulju County Hall), Choi In-ho (Changwon Metropolitan City Hall)

Joint 5th Place = Jeong Chang-jo (Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Hall), Jang Seong-woo (MG Saemaul Geumgo Ssireum Team), Cha Seung-min (Gwangju City Hall), Park Chan-ju (Taean County Hall)

■ Match Results: Men's Open Division Team Event, "Withers Pharmaceutical 2026 Folk Ssireum Uiseong Garlic Ssireum Tournament"

Champion = MG Saemaul Geumgo Ssireum Team (South Chungcheong Province)

Runner-up = Yangpyeong County Hall (Gyeonggi Province)

Joint 3rd Place = Yeongwol County Hall (Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province), Gijang Gallaegi Ssireum Team (Busan Metropolitan City)

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original