An Baul turns 32: the seoi-nage specialist who kept showing up

In a stacked modern U66kg era, consistency is its own kind of greatness—and An Baul built his name on it. Now 32, the Korean judoka has spent 13 years competing internationally, collecting the kind of résumé that only a handful manage: a 2015 World title, multiple World Championship medals, and two Olympic medals. He wasn’t the loudest athlete in the room, but he kept delivering when the stakes were highest.

His rise started early. An took silver at the 2011 World Junior Championships and then went all the way in 2013 with junior world gold. That same year, he pushed through a left knee injury from his university period, turning a setback into fuel for his senior ambitions.

The defining breakthrough arrived in 2015. An became World Champion in Astana and backed it up on the World Judo Tour with wins at the Düsseldorf Grand Prix and the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, plus a Universiade title. In 2016, he doubled down by winning the IJF World Masters and reaching the Olympic final at Rio 2016, where he finished with silver after a strong run.

He remained a familiar face on major podiums. World bronze followed in 2018 and 2022, and his Paris Grand Slam titles in 2018 and 2020 underlined something European fans know well: when the sport’s biggest stages are in Europe, An Baul could still peak right on time.

Sharp timing, clean mechanics, and nerves that rarely cracked.

Technically, he’s best associated with a fast, precise Seoi-nage. Over the years he also developed notable rivalries, including particularly competitive bouts with Japan’s Joshiro Maruyama.

Even late in his career, An kept contributing. At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris he competed in U73kg and took on an important role in the mixed team event. On 3 August, he earned a crucial win over Germany’s Igor Wandtke, showing experience and fighting spirit in what was one of his final Olympic appearances.

A quiet career, but never an easy opponent.

Source: JudoInside