Gold medal on the international stage follows 21.49-second personal best at the National Athletics Championships, demonstrating growing global competitiveness

YU track and field team showcases strength across multiple events with outstanding performances at the National University Championships and the Miryang Arirang National Athletics Meet

[July 3, 2026]

<KIM Tae-uk, sophomore in the School of Kinesiology, YU>

Yeungnam University (YU) (President CHOI Oe-chool) track and field athlete KIM Tae-uk (sophomore, School of Kinesiology) captured the gold medal in the men's 200-meter final at the 2026 Hong Kong Open Athletics Championships (World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze).

Competing in the men's 200-meter final in Hong Kong on June 14, KIM overcame adverse rainy conditions with composed race management and outstanding late-race acceleration, crossing the finish line first in 21.57 seconds. 

KIM has recently shown marked improvement in his curve-running technique and his ability to maintain speed in the latter stages of races. As his ability to negotiate the bend—one of the most critical elements of the 200-meter event—has improved, so too has his overall competitiveness. Athletics officials noted that KIM has developed into one of Korea's leading collegiate sprinters and that his gold medal at this international competition demonstrates his ability to compete successfully on the global stage. They also expressed confidence that he will continue to deliver strong performances in upcoming national team selection trials and international competitions. 

Although rainy weather made fast times difficult for all competitors, KIM remained composed throughout the race, defeating athletes from across Asia to stand atop the podium. His smooth running through the curve and explosive acceleration on the home straight ultimately proved decisive, once again demonstrating his competitiveness on the international stage.

The victory is particularly meaningful because it builds on the momentum he has established in recent domestic competitions. At the 55th National Athletics Championships in May, KIM finished third in the men's collegiate 200 meters with a time of 21.49 seconds, narrowly missing a higher finish in a fiercely contested race decided by just one-hundredth of a second. He also claimed the men's 100-meter title at the 81st National University Athletics Championships, confirming his outstanding competitiveness across the sprint events. 

Alongside KIM's success, the YU track and field team has continued to produce impressive results at major national competitions, reaffirming its status as one of Korea's premier collegiate athletics programs.

At the 81st National University Athletics Championships in May, KIM won the men's 100 meters, PARK Sung-jin claimed the men's 800-meter title, and LEE Chae-jin finished runner-up in the women's 400 meters, with several YU athletes earning podium finishes. The team's success continued at the Miryang Arirang 2026 National Athletics Meet in June, where PARK and LEE won the men's and women's 800 meters, respectively, while NO Gyu-rim captured the women's 400-meter hurdles title. LEE also finished second in the women's 400 meters, and CHOI Ji-hyun placed second in the women's 200 meters and third in the women's 100 meters, highlighting the team's depth and competitiveness across multiple events.

KIM said, "I am very pleased to have achieved such a good result at an international competition. I will continue training consistently to improve my times and strive to develop into an athlete capable of representing Korean athletics."

Meanwhile, the YU track and field team has continued to raise its national profile during the 2026 season through outstanding performances at both national and international competitions. In particular, KIM Tae-uk's gold medal at the Hong Kong Open is regarded as a representative achievement that reflects the team's systematic training program and its strong athlete development capabilities.

Major Results of the YU Track and Field Team in 2026