Kim Byeong-min, a 90-year-old boxer, hits a punching bag as part of his exercise at a boxing club in Incheon on Jan. 30, 2023. (Yonhap)
INCHOEN, Feb. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — At a local boxing club in Incheon on Monday, an old man is seen flexing his muscles in front of a punching bag.
Kim Byeong-min is a professional boxer in his 90s, born in the year 1933. He’s the only professional boxer in his age group in the country.
After graduating college in Seoul, he worked as an administrative employee at a public agency for close to 30 years. He lived a stable life, detached from a need to try something new.
Following his retirement, he took taekwondo classes for 20 years to stay healthy.
He had to temporarily quit exercising after injuring his left knee, but his spirit of challenge continued. By 2019, he was entering the world of boxing for the first time.
“I always wanted to learn boxing,” Kim said. “I couldn’t wait any longer. I went to the nearest boxing gym.”
Kim passed a professional test overseen by the Korea Boxing Commission (KBC) in August last year, acquiring a professional certificate. The KBC introduced a silver license program for boxers over 39 years of age two years ago.
Kim’s new resolution is to win his first official match as a professional boxer.
There are no sparring matches for those around his age, and his coach continues to dissuade him from participating in an official bout.
Kim, however, does not intend to quit.
“Boxing is for anyone with a strong passion,” he said. “There is no need to fear challenge.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
