Choi Dong-won selected as first baseball player as Korea Sports Hero
Pitcher Choi Dong-won has become the first baseball player selected as a Republic of Korea Sports Hero by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, KBC Gwangju Broadcasting reported.
Committee Selects Choi Dong-Won as Sports Hero
The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee announced the selection on November 4, 2026. The decision followed a meeting of the Sports Hero Selection Committee held on October 27, where committee members reviewed three final candidates: Park Joo-bong, Choi Dong-won, and Hwang Young-jo before choosing Choi.
The committee has inducted 18 figures since 2011 to honor individuals who left significant marks on Korean sports history, including Sohn Kee-chung, Cho Oh-ryeon, Yuna Kim, and Um Hong-gil. Choi is the first baseball player to receive the honor, and the third player from a ball sport, following basketball player Park Shin-ja in 2015 and footballer Cha Bum-kun in 2017.
Pitcher Builds Legendary Career in Professional Baseball
Choi earned legendary status in Korean professional baseball by winning four games single-handedly in the 1984 Korean Series to lead the Lotte Giants to their first championship. Across eight professional seasons, he pitched in 248 games, compiling 103 wins, 26 saves, 1,019 strikeouts, and a 2.46 ERA. On the international stage, he contributed to national team victories at the 1977 Continental Cup and the 1982 Baseball World Cup.
Following his playing career, Choi worked as a coach, broadcaster, Korea Baseball Organization game operations committee member, and national team scout. He passed away from colon cancer in 2011. The Korean Sport & Olympic Committee plans to hold an induction ceremony next month to honor his achievements.
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