Choi Tae-ho Makes History as First Korean to Win Gold in Men's Keirin at World Junior Track Championships

Choi Tae-ho has set a new milestone for Korean cycling, becoming the first Korean athlete ever to win gold in the men’s keirin at the World Junior Track Championships.

Representing the Gangwon Provincial Cycling Federation, eighteen-year-old Choi took first place in the men’s keirin final held in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, on the 22nd. This victory marked a historic achievement as the first Korean to win gold in this discipline.

The keirin event features multiple riders starting together in a tactical sprint race. In the finals, six competitors circle a 250-meter track six times before the race is decided in the final 200 meters by speed.

Choi outpaced his rivals by sustaining speeds above 70.512 kilometers per hour, crossing the finish line 0.212 seconds ahead of Dmitry Pavlovskii, who was competing as a neutral athlete.

This year’s championships will continue through the 24th. Led by head coach Jung Chang-young, the Korean delegation consists of six male and female athletes competing on the world stage.

Choi had previously won a silver medal in the men’s team sprint event on the 21st. He is now aiming for his second gold medal of the tournament as he prepares to compete in the sprint, his main event, on the 23rd.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News