'Judo Hero' Wang Ki-chun Accused of Sexual Assault on a Minor... Facing Possible Lifetime Ban

Wang Ki-chun Accused of Sexual Assault on a Minor, Arrest Warrant Issued
Korean Judo Association to Hold Disciplinary Committee Next Week to Decide Sanctions
Discussion on Permanent Expulsion and Revocation of Recreational Sports Instructor License

Wang Ki-chun, a former national judo representative and Olympic silver medalist [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Wang Gi-chun (32), a former national judo representative who was arrested on the 1st on charges of sexually assaulting a minor, is expected to be expelled from the judo community.

The Korea Judo Association plans to hold a Sports Fairness Committee (Disciplinary Committee) meeting next week to decide on Wang Gi-chun's disciplinary action.

An official from the Judo Association told Yonhap News, "After a period for explanation, the disciplinary procedure will begin." He added, "Sexual assault is a matter that can lead to permanent expulsion, which prohibits activities as an athlete or coach, and can also result in recommending the revocation of the sports instructor license required to operate a judo gym to the issuing authority."

Currently, Wang Gi-chun is under detention and investigation at the Daegu Metropolitan Police Agency. The police plan to transfer the case to the prosecution next week after conducting additional investigations on Wang.

Wang Gi-chun won the gold medal in the men's 73kg category at the 2007 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, setting the record as the youngest Korean male athlete to win at the time.

Former National Judo Representative Wang Ki-chun
[Photo by Yonhap News]

He gained recognition by winning the silver medal in the men's 73kg category at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Subsequently, he secured consecutive gold medals at the 2009 and 2010 World Championships, establishing himself as a leading star in the judo world.

However, outside the judo arena, he was involved in several incidents and faced multiple controversies. In 2009, he was booked and investigated by the police for assaulting a woman in her twenties at a nightclub.

In 2014, while fulfilling his military service obligation, he was caught using a mobile phone at the Army Training Center and was punished with confinement. He was also subjected to an abnormal discharge from the training center.

He failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic national team selection and retired from judo. Afterward, he opened a judo gym in Daegu and worked as a sports instructor and YouTuber.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.