Cha Min Kyu
FederationID SSKOR11603199301
NOC Republic of Korea
Born 16 Mar 1993 in Seoul
Languages Korean
Higher education Physical Education - Korea National Sport University: Seoul, KOR
500m 34.03 10 Mar 2019 Salt Lake City, UT
1000m 1:07.32 12 Dec 2021 Calgary
1500m 1:51.33 10 Sep 2016 Calgary
World Single Distances Championships
World Sprint Championships
instagram.com/93_316
Sport Specific Information
Reason for choosing this sport He began skating to improve his health. His coach at university then suggested he should focus on the sport.
When and where did you begin this sport? He began skating in grade three of primary school in Anyang, Republic of Korea. He initially took up short track before switching to speed skating in 2011.
Injuries In 2021 he sustained an injury to his pelvis. (woman.donga.com, 02 Apr 2022; kookje.co.kr, 13 Feb 2022)
He tore a ligament in his right ankle in 2013. The injury meant he missed the 2013 National Selection Trials for the 2014 Olympic Winter Games. He required one-year rehabilitation period. (mbn.co.kr, 06 Apr 2022; sportsseoul.com, 29 Mar 2018; vogue.co.kr, 28 Mar 2018; Athlete, 11 Nov 2017)
Most influential person in career His parents. (woman.donga.com, 02 Apr 2022)
Ambitions To win gold at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina. (mbn.co.kr, 06 Apr 2022)
Sporting philosophy / motto "Lead a life of virtue." (Athlete, 17 Nov 2018)
Hero / Idol Korean speed skater Lee Sang-Hwa. (mbn.co.kr, 06 Apr 2022)
Awards and honours He was flag bearer for the Republic of Korea at the closing ceremony of the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing. (sports.hankooki.com, 20 Feb 2022)
Nicknames Cha-Syong ['Syong' is an onomatopoeic word that his teammates use to describe him skating fast], Ildan Fairy ['Ildan' means 'first of all' in English, and his fans gave him the nickname after noticing he uses the phrase regularly]. (woman.donga.com, 02 Apr 2022; vogue.co.kr, 28 Mar 2018)
2018/2019 World Single Distances Championships Team Sprint 2
2018/2019 World Single Distances Championships 500m 4
2019/2020 World Cup Four Continents Championships Team Sprint 1
2021/2022 World Cup Four Continents Championships 500m 2