Rising Star of Korean Judo: Profile of Lee Joon-hwan

Basic Information about Lee Joon-hwan

Name: Lee Joon-hwan (李俊奐)
Date of Birth: June 19, 2002
Place of Birth: Gumi, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 84 kg
Sport: Judo
Weight Class: Half Middleweight (-81 kg)

Major Achievements

Olympics
2024 Paris Olympics: Bronze Medal (-81 kg)
World Championships
2023 Doha: Bronze Medal (-81 kg)
2024 Abu Dhabi: Bronze Medal (-81 kg)
Asian Games
2022 Hangzhou: Silver Medal (-81 kg)
Asian Championships
2024 Hong Kong: Gold Medal (-81 kg)
Universiade
2021 Chengdu: Bronze Medal (Team event)
Asian Youth Championships
2018 Beirut: Bronze Medal (-73 kg)
Grand Slam
2022 Tbilisi: Gold Medal
2022 Ulaanbaatar: Gold Medal

Highlights and Details

Lee Joon-hwan has made a name for himself as a prominent judoka representing South Korea. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, he made a remarkable debut by winning a bronze medal, showcasing his skill and determination to the world. The final match against Matthias Casse, where he secured a dramatic victory with a waza-ari in the sudden death period, was particularly noteworthy.

He also secured bronze medals at the 2023 and 2024 World Championships, demonstrating consistent performance. His achievements at the Asian Championships and Asian Games further highlight his excellence and potential as a leading figure in Korean judo.

Interesting Episodes

Lee Joon-hwan is known as a “Monster” or “Superstar” among his peers. During high school, he faced five consecutive defeats against his classmate Lee Eun-kyul. Motivated by these losses, he doubled his training efforts, running at high speeds daily and reducing his sleep to improve his stamina. This intense training led him to master his signature move, Sode Tsurikomi Goshi, and eventually defeat his rival before graduating high school.

Additionally, Lee has a strong determination to overcome Japanese judokas, having defeated Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Takanori Nagase twice. Lee studied Nagase’s matches for hours, developing strategies that led to his victories.

quarter- final Takanori NAGASE vs Joonhwan LEE

Additional Information

There was some controversy on social media when Lee Joon-hwan was seen standing in front of gold medalist Nagase Takanori on the podium at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, it is well-known that Lee is a kind and humble individual. The crowded podium and time constraints led to a natural, unintentional positioning where the modest Nagase stepped back. Lee Joon-hwan is far from being an attention-seeker; he is known for his humility and respectfulness.