Kim Yun-Man

Before the 1992 Olympics, Kim Yun-Man’s only remarkable feat had been winning the 500 m at the World Junior Championships. At the Albertville Games, he formed part of a surprise podium on the 1000 m, becoming the first South Korean ever to win a speed skating medal at the Olympics. Kim was able to retain his position among the best sprinters of the world, culminating in the 1994/1995 season. After winning his first World Cup races, he took the 1995 World Sprint Championships by winning three of the four distances. After this success, Kim struggled with motivational problems, and was never again a contender for an international title, although he did win two Asian distance titles in 1998 and a fourth World Cup race in 1996. Kim retired after the Nagano Games.

Personal Bests: 500 – 36.05 (1998); 1000 – 1:12.50 (1998); 1500 – 1:54.94 (1994); 5000 – 7:55.43 (1990); 10000 – 17:21.24 (1988).