Seo Ryeo-kyung, a 35-year-old pediatrician turned professional boxer, has claimed the title of world champion.
On October 17, at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Seoul's Seodaemun District, Seo won the WIBA (Women's International Boxing Association) women's minimum weight (47.6 kg) championship by defeating Thailand's Wisuta Srilitydet with a third-round knockout. This victory marks her third attempt at a world title since her debut in 2024.
Before taking up boxing, Seo led a lifestyle far removed from sports during her university years. She began boxing as a way to relieve the stress accumulated from her demanding work and studies during her residency. "I was exhausted both physically and mentally from my work as a doctor," she said. "I started boxing as a means to cope and survive in that situation."
Seo entered the boxing world in 2018 and made her professional debut just a year later. Despite her busy hospital schedule, she continued training and achieved titles as the Korean champion and Asian champion in the light flyweight division under the Korea Boxing Commission (KBC). After several attempts, she finally reached the pinnacle of her sport.
Seo had expressed her ambition to become a world champion early on. In 2023, during her appearance on the tvN variety show 'You Quiz on the Block,' she stated her intention to pursue a world title rather than just defend her Asian champion title.
Following this victory, there is growing interest in whether Seo will challenge for championship titles from major boxing organizations such as the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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