Kim Hyo-bin dedicates canoeing double gold to his foster parents
Kim Hyo-bin, a 25-year-old who has become a rising star in Korean canoeing and won two gold medals at the Asian Games, broke down in tears as he spoke about the couple who raised him with love. Lee Gong-heon, 70, and his wife, Choi Hyeon-suk, 63, took him in when he was 9 months old and cared for him until he left their children's home at 19. “They are my parents,” Kim said, wiping away tears…
Kim Hyo-bin, a 25-year-old canoeing sensation from Korea, clinched two gold medals at the recent Asian Games, dedicating his victories to the foster parents who raised him. Lee Gong-heon, 70, and Choi Hyeon-suk, 63, welcomed the young athlete into their home when he was just nine months old, nurturing him until the age of 19. "They are my parents," Kim declared, wiping away tears multiple times.
"Though I never knew the love of my biological parents, I can't imagine how hard it would be for any biological parents to provide the care they did." At the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, Kim and his idol, Cho Gwang-hee, both former classmates from Buyeo High School, secured their double gold triumph. Kim's first gold came on September 24 in the men's canoe sprint kayak four 500-meter event.
The next day, the duo won the men's kayak double 500-meter event, making Kim the first Korean athlete to secure two gold medals at this year's Games. Holding his medals close to his heart, Kim expressed his disbelief at winning gold in the four-person event.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Kim Hyo-bin dedicates canoeing double gold to his foster parents koreatimes.co.kr
