An Ba-ul, Olympic silver medallist in the men's -66 kg at Rio 2016 and bronze medallist at Tokyo 2020, has announced that he will conclude his competitive career at the end of 2026 and move into coaching.
Writing on social media on 10 September, the judoka who competes for Namyangju City Hall said: "I plan to conclude this journey at the end of this year and begin a new challenge as a coach. I will continue to grow by sharing my experiences moving forward." He added: "It has been an honour and I am grateful to have represented South Korea on major stages such as the Olympics. Thank you to everyone who has supported me until now."
Why now
The International Judo Federation published an interview with An on 11 September. Asked why he chose this moment, he said that after the Paris Olympics he took time to reflect deeply on his judo career and his future.
"Years of intensive training took a significant toll on my body and I felt I was no longer able to push myself the way this sport demands at the highest level," he said. "I wanted to step back, spend time with my family and think carefully about what comes next. With my current team contract also ending this year, it felt like the natural point to close this chapter and open a new one, both in Korea and internationally."
What comes next
For the rest of the year, An said he plans to spend quality time with his family while fulfilling his remaining commitments with his current team, and to use the period to prepare for the next chapter and explore opportunities to begin his coaching career next year.
Longer term, he hopes to build an international coaching career. "Becoming a good coach takes continuous learning, experience and humility, so I want to keep developing myself and learning from others along the way," he said. "My goal is to pass on not just technique but the values judo has given me. I would like to help guide the next generation of athletes toward the highest level of our sport and, one day, the Olympic podium."
The mentor: Sun Chan-jong
Asked who has influenced him most, An thanked his family first for their support throughout his career, along with his teammates, coaches and everyone who encouraged him.
Above all, he named his lifelong mentor and teacher Sun Chan-jong, currently head coach of the Namyangju City Hall Judo Team. "He has been my teacher and mentor since my middle school years and our relationship continues to this day," An said. "He taught me far more than judo techniques; he taught me the fundamental values of life: humility, sacrifice, dedication and respect. He has always been a steadfast source of guidance and support throughout my journey, both as an athlete and as a person."
What judo taught him
An said judo has shaped every part of his life. "Through this sport, I've learned the value of effort, healthy competition, sacrifice, humility, empathy and respect," he said. "It has given me some of the greatest moments of joy and triumph, as well as some of the hardest moments of disappointment and sorrow. Looking back, every one of those experiences holds a place I wouldn't trade for anything."
Olympic record
An won silver in the men's -66 kg at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics and bronze in the same category at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He also contributed to South Korea's bronze medal in the mixed team event at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he beat an opponent from a heavier weight class in the bronze-medal match against Germany — a contest that drew wide attention in Korea. Paris was his final competitive appearance.
Video: International Judo Federation — In Focus: An Ba-ul (archive footage). Watch on YouTubeStaying close to the team
On 9 September, a day before announcing his retirement, An visited the Jincheon National Training Center in Chungcheongbuk-do to encourage the younger members of the national squad preparing for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Korea's judo team is targeting multiple gold medals at the Games, which run from 30 September to 3 October.
The move into coaching keeps An inside a Korean judo structure he has been part of for more than a decade, at a time when the country's men's lightweight categories are being rebuilt around a younger group.
