Choi Yun-chil facts for kids
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||
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| Born | 19 July 1928 Dancheon, Japanese Korea (now North Korea) |
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| Died | October 8, 2020 (aged 92) | |||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||
| Country | South Korea | |||||||||||||
| Sport | running | |||||||||||||
| Event(s) | marathon | |||||||||||||
| Korean name | ||||||||||||||
| Hangul |
최윤칠
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| Hanja |
崔崙七
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| Revised Romanization | Choe Yunchil | |||||||||||||
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'oe Ryunch'il | |||||||||||||
| Achievements and titles | ||||||||||||||
| National finals | Two-time champion | |||||||||||||
| Olympic finals | 1948 (DNF), 1952(4th) | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Choi Yun-chil was a famous long-distance runner from South Korea. He was born on July 19, 1928, and passed away on October 8, 2020. He competed in the Olympic Games twice and was a national champion in the marathon two times.
A Talented Runner
Choi Yun-chil was a very talented runner. At the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, he was actually leading the marathon race! But, with less than 5 kilometers to go, he had to stop.
In 1950, Choi finished third in the famous Boston Marathon. However, the next year, he was not allowed to enter the race. This was because of the Korean War happening at the time. The president of the Boston Athletic Association said that Koreans should be fighting for their country instead of training for marathons.
Olympic and Asian Games Success
Despite this setback, Choi continued to compete. In 1952, he finished fourth in the Olympic marathon at Helsinki. This was a great achievement, showing his skill and determination.
Choi Yun-chil also won medals at the Asian Games. In 1954, he won a gold medal in the 1500 meter race. He also earned a silver medal in the 5000 meter race at the same event. These wins showed he was one of the best runners in Asia.
Choi Yun-chil is remembered as a determined athlete who represented his country well in international competitions.
