Kang Jun-yi of Seoul Yeongdeungpo High School has made history by winning South Korea's first gold medal in skateboarding at the Asian Games. With his success on the Asian stage, expectations are rising for his performance at the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Ranked seventh in the world, Kang secured first place in the men's street skateboarding final at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games held on September 27 in Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture. He achieved a total score of 180.85 points, combining a top run score of 88.45 and a best trick score of 92.40.
Kang surpassed competitors from the host nation and skateboarding powerhouse Japan, including second-ranked Sasaki Toa (172.35 points) and 12th-ranked Onodera Kinu (168.11 points). Sasaki is a two-time world champion, having won the 2024 and 2025 World Championships.
Since skateboarding was officially included in the Asian Games at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang event, Kang is the first South Korean athlete to stand atop the podium. The previous best result was a bronze medal won by Nam Joo-won in men's street skateboarding that year.
The final consisted of three runs over 45 seconds each and three attempts at a single high-difficulty trick, with the highest scores from each segment combined. Kang led the run segment with a flawless performance, scoring 88.45 points before entering the best trick phase.
In the first two attempts of the best trick, he fell while attempting his prepared high-difficulty tricks, resulting in zero points. However, he regained his focus in the final attempt, successfully executing the trick and earning the highest score of 92.40, securing the gold medal.
This gold medal is particularly meaningful for Kang, who overcame a serious injury. Born in 2008, he suffered a significant injury in May 2022 when a piece of bone detached near his knee. Opting for rehabilitation over surgery to continue skateboarding, he ultimately missed the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.
After his rehabilitation, Kang made headlines by becoming the first Korean to win the prestigious amateur competition Tampa Am in November 2024.
His growth accelerated after joining Red Bull the following year. Recognized as a 'skateboarding prodigy' from a young age, Kang gained valuable experience competing on the global stage alongside elite skaters through Red Bull.
The results were immediate. In April, he made his debut at the Street League Skateboarding (SLS) in Los Angeles, winning the event as a wildcard. He also collected three gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals at the 2026 X Games held in the U.S. and Japan. With the addition of the Asian Games gold medal, he has emerged as a leading skateboarder representing Asia.
Kang's pursuit on the world stage is supported by Red Bull's athlete support system, which aids in training, rehabilitation, and performance management through the Athlete Performance Center (APC). Red Bull also provides platforms for athletes to showcase their skills and creativity through global skateboarding events like 'Red Bull Spot Check' and 'Red Bull Building Drop.'
The relationship between Red Bull and Korean skateboarding predates Kang's involvement. Red Bull held the 'Red Bull Local Hero Tour' and 'Red Bull Skate Arcade' selection events in Korea in 2012 and 2013, respectively. Recently, events like 'Red Bull Road Gap' and 'Red Bull Wallride' have connected domestic skaters with the global stage. After over a decade of fostering the local scene, Red Bull is now supporting Kang's challenge and linking the potential of Korean skateboarding to the world.
Kang expressed his feelings through Red Bull Korea, stating, "I was really nervous and trembling since it was my first Asian Games, but I’m glad I was able to perform my tricks well. I feel honored to be the first to win a gold medal for Korean skateboarding. Competing against world-class athletes and experiencing various competitions has given me bigger goals. I see this gold medal as just the beginning, and I will work even harder to show good results in the future."
Now at the top of Asia, Kang is looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the birthplace of skateboarding. At a press conference for medalists held at the Korea House in Nagoya on September 28, he said, "It would be great to come in first, but more than the ranking, I want to perfect my unique tricks that are difficult and showcase them to the world," biting his lip in determination.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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