NAGOYA, Japan — Seven years after appearing on Korean television as a young skateboarding prodigy, 17-year-old Kang Jun-i has made history at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, becoming South Korea’s first-ever Asian Games gold medalist in skateboarding.
Kang captured gold in the men’s street event with a score of 180.85 points, finishing ahead of Japan’s Toa Sasaki, who scored 172.35, and Ginwoo Onodera, who earned 168.11.
The achievement marks a new milestone for South Korean skateboarding since the sport made its official Asian Games debut at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games. Korea’s previous best result was a bronze medal won by Eun Ju-won in the men’s street event that year.
From a TV Prodigy to the Asian Games Podium
Kang first picked up a skateboard at just 8 years old. By the time he appeared on SBS’ Genius Discovery Team in 2019, aged 12, he was already being introduced as a skateboarding prodigy and reportedly demonstrated a repertoire of more than 130 tricks.
His television appearance offered an early glimpse of the ambition that would eventually take him to the Asian Games. Seven years later, that childhood dream became a historic achievement.
Kang has described skateboarding as something that makes him happiest, comparing the feeling of riding to being on an amusement-park attraction.
A Dramatic Route to Gold
The Asian Games final was not without setbacks.
Kang missed his first two high-difficulty trick attempts before recovering on his final attempt. According to reports, encouragement from his coach helped him regain his composure before he completed the performance that secured the gold medal.
He earned 88.45 points in the run section and 92.40 in the trick section, giving him a combined 180.85 and placing him at the top of the podium.
After the victory, Kang said the result felt like a dream. He also credited his mother, who was watching from the stands, describing his success as something he wanted to repay her for supporting him throughout his journey.
The Next Chapter: Los Angeles
The Asian Games gold has now added another major milestone to Kang’s rapidly developing career.
But the 17-year-old is already looking ahead. His next stated ambition is to compete for first place at the Los Angeles Olympics, while continuing to develop more difficult and complex tricks.
From a child who once showcased his skateboarding skills on television to a historic Asian Games champion, Kang Jun-i has now reached a milestone that South Korean skateboarding had never achieved before.
And if his childhood ambition was once to become the world’s No. 1 skateboarder, the next chapter of that journey is only beginning.
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