Kim Jae-bum

Kim Jae-bum
Personal information
Born (1985-01-25) 25 January 1985
Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Home townSeoul, South Korea
Alma materYongin University
OccupationJudoka
Height182 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Sport
CountrySouth Korea
SportJudo
Weight class–81 kg
Rank     5th dan black belt
Coached byChung Hoon
Korean name
Hangul
김재범
Hanja
Revised RomanizationGim Jae-beom
McCune–ReischauerKim Chae-bŏm
Achievements and titles
Olympic Games (2012)
World Champ. (2010, 2011)
Asian Champ. (2005, 2008, 2009,
2010, 2011, 2012,
2014)
Highest world ranking1st (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
Medal record
Men's judo
Representing  South Korea
Olympic Games
2012 London81 kg
2008 Beijing81 kg
World Championships
2010 Tokyo81 kg
2011 Paris81 kg
2009 Rotterdam81 kg
Asian Games
2010 Guangzhou81 kg
2014 Incheon81 kg
2014 IncheonMen's team
Asian Championships
2005 Tashkent73 kg
2008 Jeju81 kg
2009 Taipei81 kg
2011 Abu Dhabi81 kg
2012 Tashkent81 kg
2015 Kuwait City81 kg
World Masters
2010 Suwon81 kg
IJF Grand Slam
2011 Paris81 kg
2012 Tokyo81 kg
2009 Paris81 kg
2009 Tokyo81 kg
2014 Paris81 kg
IJF Grand Prix
2010 Düsseldorf81 kg
2013 Jeju81 kg
2014 Jeju81 kg
2013 Düsseldorf81 kg
World Juniors Championships
2004 Budapest73 kg
Asian Junior Championships
2003 Macau66 kg
Summer Universiade
2007 Bangkok73 kg
Profile at external databases
IJF64
JudoInside.com34929
Updated on 25 May 2023

Kim Jae-bum (김재범) (Korean pronunciation: [kim.dʑɛ̝.bʌm]; born 25 January 1985, in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do) is a retired South Korean judoka. Despite being plagued with injuries throughout his career, Kim is known for dominating major competitions at the half-middleweight category (81 kg)—particularly between his Olympic debut in 2008 and his 2012 Olympic finals rematch against Ole Bischof.

Kim has had several nicknames, including "Man of One Arm Wins" for his successes through injury, "Korean Tiger" for his aggressive play and iconic status in South Korean judo, and "Energizer Bunny" for his quick and relentless style of judo.

He was granted exemption from South Korea's mandatory military service in 2010, following his gold medal victory at the Guangzhou Asian Games.