Seoul, Korea, July 27, 2026: The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee has paid tribute to wrestling legend Jang Chang-sun – the first South Korean athlete to win a world championship in any sport. Jang died recently aged 83.
The KSOC announced Jang's passing and said the former athlete would be honored in an official funeral organized by the KSOC, Yonhap News reports.
Jang won an Asian Games silver medal in 1962 and added an Olympic silver medal two years later at Tokyo.
Then, in 1966, Jang became the first South Korean athlete in any sport to capture a world title, winning the men's 52kg freestyle gold medal at the World Wrestling Championships in Toledo, Ohio.
Following his retirement, Jang worked as executive director and later vice president of the Korea Wrestling Federation. He also served as head of the National Training Center in Taeneung, northern Seoul, from 2000 to 2003.
He served on the executive board for the organizing committee of the 2014 Asian Games, which were held in his hometown of Incheon.
For his accomplishments and contributions on and off the mat, Jang was recognized with two Presidential Commendations and several other national sports honors.
The KSOC inducted Jang into its Hall of Fame as a "Sports Hero" in 2014.
"Jang Chang-sun wrote new history for Korean sports as our first-ever world champion," KSOC President Ryu Seung-min said.
“We will always remember and inherit the noble spirit and accomplishments of the man who dedicated his whole life to the development of sport in the country."
Jang passed away on Monday, July 20.