'23-Match Winning Streak' Ssireum Wrestler Kim Mu-ho Claims 14th Career Halla Jangsa Title at Mungyeong Tournament

Kim Mu-ho (Ulju County Office), who has maintained an undefeated streak this season, set a new record for the most consecutive singles match wins with 23, capturing his 14th career Halla Jangsa title at the Withus Jeju 2026 Folk Ssireum Mungyeong Omija Jangsa Ssireum Tournament.

On the 3rd, Kim defeated Oh Chang-rok (MG Saemaul Geumgo Ssireum Team) 3-0 in the Halla division (under 105kg) final (best-of-five) held at the Mungyeong Gymnasium in Gyeongsangbuk-do.

In the Halla division, which featured nine former folk ssireum Jangsa titleholders including Oh Chang-rok—who holds the record for the most Halla Jangsa titles with 15—Kim claimed the championship without dropping a single round.

Kim repaid the overwhelming support from fans on-site with his 14th Halla Jangsa title.

In the first round of the final, Kim's left leg was caught by Oh's inner thigh trip (deotgeori), but he reversed the momentum and secured the lead with a push-out (milye치기 translated as push attack / push-out).

In the second round, where the two clashed in a battle of pure strength, Kim executed his trademark lifting waist-twist throw (deulbaejigi) to make it 2-0.

In the final third round, he threw Oh to the ground with a arm-bar belt lock (bitjangeori) to claim the victory and ride the traditional flower palanquin.

On this day (the 3rd), Kim set a new record for the most consecutive singles match wins since the official archiving of ssireum records began in 2019.

Starting the tournament with a 19-match winning streak, he defeated Hwang Jae-won (Taean County Office), a three-time Geumgang Jangsa, 2-0 in the Round of 16 to tie the previous record of 20 consecutive wins held by Kim Gi-su (Suwon City Hall, Geumgang division), Noh Beom-su (Ulju County Office, Taebaek division), and Kim Min-jae (Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Team, Baekdu division).

He then broke the record by defeating Park Min-gyo (Yongin City Hall), a nine-time Halla Jangsa, 2-0 in the quarterfinals to reach 21 consecutive wins, and extended his record to 23 wins with victories in the semifinals and finals.

His undefeated streak this season also continued.

Kim has maintained a perfect 23-0 record in singles matches from the Lunar New Year tournament through the finals of this event.

His streak of consecutive Halla division championships was also extended to seven tournaments.

Following victories at last year's Chuseok and Cheonha Jangsa tournaments, Kim has successively conquered this year's Lunar New Year, Danyang Ondal, Pyeongchang Odaesancheon, Boeun Dano, and Mungyeong Omija tournaments.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.