Jang U-Shik

Korean national Jang U-Shik was a speed skater whose competitive career occurred during the Japanese occupation of Korea, which lasted from 1910 through World War II. He therefore competed internationally as Yushoku Cho, since the government forced Koreans to take on more “Japanese” names, and represented Japan. He drew attention for his performance as a student at Meiji University, placing second in the 10,000 metres and fourth in the 5,000 metres at the 1935 All Japan Speed Skating Championships, and in 1936 was selected for that year’s Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. There, Jang was joint-27th (with his compatriot Lee Seong-Deok) in the 5,000 metres and 26th in the 10,000 metres. During his trip to Garmisch-Partenkirchen, he also competed at the World Championship in Davos. Further success came in the national championships, when he clinched the titles in the 5,000 metres and 10,000 metres events in 1938, and another one in the 5,000 metres in 1939. In addition, he was student champion in the 1,500 metres in 1935 and in the 5,000 metres in 1939. World War II ended his competitive career and his later life is clouded in uncertainty. Korean sources claim that he returned to Korea and died there in 1971, while Japanese sources list him as living in Tokyo into the 1980s.

Personal Bests: 500 – 47.4 (1935); 1500 – 2:28.4 (1937); 5000 – 8:47.0 (1939); 10000 – 18:44.9 (1938).