Ssireum "monster" Kim Min-jae (24, Yeongam County Folk Ssireum Troupe) has secured his 19th career Baekdu title, surpassing Ssireum emperor Lee Man-ki.

On October 11, Kim defeated Ma Kwon-su (Mungyeong City Hall) 3-0 in the Baekdu weight class (under 140kg) final (best-of-five) at the Withus Jeju 2026 Goesan Chuseok Ssireum Championship held at the Goesan Culture & Physical Center in North Chungcheong Province.

Kim took control early in the first round with a twisting throw (jabchigi) and followed up with a push-out (mileochigi) to win the second round.

He then brought Ma down with another twisting throw in the third round, claiming victory and riding the traditional flower litter.

With this win, Kim, who tied with Lee Man-ki by capturing his 18th Baekdu title at the Mungyeong Omija Championship in August, moved into sole second place all-time in the category.

He also narrowed the gap with Lee Tae-hyun, who holds the all-time record with 20 Baekdu titles, down to just one.

In addition, Kim increased his total career titles to 22, including three Cheonhajangsa (absolute monarch) titles.

The pace at which he is setting records is also remarkable.

Since winning his first Baekdu title at the Gangneung Dano Championship in June 2022 while serving as a sophomore at Ulsan University, Kim achieved his 19th title in about four years and four months.

While Lee Man-ki reached his 18th Baekdu title at the age of 26, Kim surpassed that record at 24.

Compared to Lee Tae-hyun, the pace is ten years faster.

For Lee Tae-hyun, who won his first Baekdu title in October 1994, it took about 15 years and 8 months to reach 19 titles.

However, Lee Tae-hyun retired in 2006 to transition to mixed martial arts before returning to the sand ring in 2009 to set the record for the most titles.

(Photo courtesy of the Korea Ssireum Association, Yonhap News)