Yeo Hong-chul

Yeo Hong-Chul
Personal information
Born	(1971-05-28) May 28, 1971 Gwangju, South Korea
Height	5 ft 4+1⁄2 in (164 cm)
Gymnastics career
Discipline	Men's artistic gymnastics
Country represented	South Korea
Level	Senior
Eponymous skills	"Yeo I" and "Yeo II" in vault
Retired	2000
Medal record Men's artistic gymnastics Representing South Korea Olympic Games 1996 Atlanta Vault World Championships 1996 San Juan Vault 1994 Brisbane Vault Universiade 1991 Sheffield Vault 1993 Buffalo Vault Asian Games 1994 Hiroshima Vault 1998 Bangkok Vault 1994 Hiroshima Team

In this Korean name, the family name is Yeo.

Yeo Hong-Chul (Korean: 여홍철; Hanja: 呂洪哲; RR: Yeo Hong-cheol; born 28 May 1971 in Gwangju) is a retired South Korean gymnast. He participated in three Olympics, winning a silver medal, and retired after the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Career

Yeo won the silver medal in the vault event at the 1996 Summer Olympics. He also participated in 1992 Summer Olympics, 1994 Asian Games, 1998 Asian Games and 2000 Summer Olympics. After the 2000 Summer Olympics, he announced his retirement. He has two vault skills named after him. His daughter would later conceive her own eponymous FIG-recognized vault skill by combining the "Yeo I" and "Yeo II".

He competed on the Japanese obstacle course show, Sasuke, four different times (7th, 8th, 11th, 12th tournaments), but failed to clear the first stage every time.

After retiring, Yeo earned his doctorate degree at Korea National Sport University. He is a professor at Kyung Hee University's College of Physical Education. His research has largely been focused on the kinetic motions of elite athletes.

He served as a commentator for KBS's domestic broadcasts of artistic gymnastics events at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

Personal life

Yeo is married to former artistic gymnast Kim Chae-eun (formerly Kim Yoon-ji), who also competed at the 1994 Asian Games and won a bronze medal in the team event. They have two daughters and remain involved in sports; besides lecturing, Yeo has been a guest commentator for gymnastics competitions while Kim is in an administrative role in the Korean Gymnastics Association. Their younger daughter, Yeo Seo-jeong, is also an Olympic medalist on vault, having won a bronze medal in the 2020 Olympic vault final.

Filmography

Television shows

Year	Title	Network	Role	Notes	Ref.
2022	Operation Time	KBS2	Host

External links

• Yeo Hong Chul at the International Gymnastics Federation
• Yeo Hong-Chul at Olympics.com
• Yeo Hong-Cheol at Olympics at Sports-Reference.com (archived)
• Yeo (Vault)

Korean Martial Arts Korean martial arts, encompassing both armed and unarmed fighting styles, boast a rich history deeply intertwined with the Korean peninsula's cultural heritage and social development. These practices, known collectively as mu術 (musul) or muye 무예 (muye), transcend mere physical training, emphasizing mental discipline, self-cultivation, and moral values (Allen, 2015). Evolution and Historical Influences: The origins of Korean martial arts can be traced back several centuries, with indications that certain practices were present during the prehistoric period (Wikipedia, 2023). Initial manifestations, such as subak—a style centred on wrestling—prospered during the Three Kingdoms era (1st century BCE – 7th century CE). Gradually, these martial arts developed under the impact of surrounding cultures, especially that of China. The advent of Buddhism during the Silla Dynasty (57 BCE – 935 CE) facilitated the incorporation of aspects of Chinese martial arts, culminating in the evolution of various styles, including taekkyeon, which is characterized by its focus on low kicks and agility (Wikipedia, 2023). During the Joseon Dynasty, from 1392 to 1897, martial arts were mainly practised by the military and the nobility during relatively peaceful times. Nevertheless, the emphasis was still on self-defence while designing Hwachae, a weapon that can shoot multiple arrows, which indicates the development of the skills of attack and defence. However, the most affecting blow came in the 20th century. The Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945 banned all forms of Korean cultural expression, including martial arts. After its liberation, numerous styles were systematized under the aegis of taekwondo, which gained international recognition in the latter part of the century (Wikipedia, 2023). Contemporary Korean martial disciplines: Nowadays, Korean martial arts represent several styles; each of these styles has its characteristics: Taekwondo: The powerful kicking in this Olympic sport goes hand in hand with dynamic motions imbued with strength by respect and self-discipline. Hapkido: A self-defensive art that involves joint locks throwing, among other leverages, against an opponent. Tang Soo Do parallels Taekwondo because it combines powerful strikes and defence moves, often emphasizing forms. Ssireum is a form of traditional Korean wrestling concerned with grappling methodologies to try and throw down one's opponent on the ground. Besides these few well-recognized styles, there are many other less famous but equally interesting practices, including Kuk Sool Won, a holistic system that encompasses a variety of fighting methods; Haidong Gumdo, or swordsmanship; and Teukgong Moosool, developed by South Korean special forces. Cultural Tourism and International Relations: Traditional Korean martial arts showcase their importance to cultural tourism. The global popularity of taekwondo has, for instance, sparked interest in Korean culture, leading to increased tourism in South Korea (Cynarski & Johnson, 2020). In addition, North Korea has attempted to capitalize on the appeal of martial arts by developing Taekwon-Do tourism to attract revenue and improve relations between nations (Cynarski & Johnson, 2020). However, North Korea has challenges due to political issues, such as travel restrictions and an aspect of tourism being seen as political propaganda activities, as explained by Cynarski & Johnson, 2020. The international spread of Korean martial arts also promotes culture and understanding. Training centres worldwide provide opportunities for people from all over the world to participate in studying Korean martial arts and develop a sense of community and respect for Korean culture in general. According to Rozenfeld (2021), this helps to promote values such as respect, persistence, and self-control that enhance positive cross-cultural interaction. Korean martial arts represent the complicated interaction in which history, tradition, and culture intermingle. The arts record the ups and downs of social and political life on the Korean peninsula. At the same time, the approach and engagement in them today promote cultural exchange, tourism, and understanding on an international level.

Allen, B. (2015). Striking beauty: A philosophical look at the Asian martial arts. Columbia University Press. https://doi.org/10.7312/alle17272 Cynarski, W. J., & Johnson, J. A. (2020). North Korea's emerging martial arts tourism: A Taekwon-Do case study. Consumer Behavior in Tourism and Hospitality, 14(4), 667–680. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCTHR-07-2019-0133 Wikipedia: Korean martial arts. (2023, November 19). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_martial_arts