Challenges Faced by Cha Jun-hwan: Obstacles and Turning Points

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Cha Jun-hwan. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Cha Jun-hwan is a prominent South Korean figure skater renowned for his achievements on the international stage. He secured a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships and has medaled four times at the Four Continents Championships. Cha also earned a bronze at the 2018-2019 Grand Prix Final and boasts six Grand Prix medals. Additionally, he is a five-time ISU Challenger Series medalist and the 2025 Asian Winter Games champion, as well as a 2025 World University Games bronze medalist. Domestically, he has achieved remarkable success, winning ten consecutive South Korean national titles from 2017 to 2026. Cha represented South Korea in both the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympics. In his junior career, he claimed a bronze medal at the 2016-17 Junior Grand Prix Final and secured two Junior Grand Prix gold medals.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

2015: Korean qualifying competition

In 2015, Cha Jun-hwan competed in the Korean qualifying competition for the Junior Grand Prix, but due to the lingering effects of an ankle fracture, he did not make the list of selected athletes. He attributed this to pushing himself to compete with an unhealed body.

2016: Senior National Bronze Medal

In 2016, competing with an ear infection, Cha Jun-hwan won the senior national bronze medal at the South Korean Championships.

2017: Senior Debut and Injury

In 2017, at age 15, Cha Jun-hwan made his senior debut and was invited to two Grand Prix events. Due to a hip injury and subsequent ankle and wrist injuries, he had to withdraw from 2017 Skate America.

2017: First Missed Win Since 2017 Ranking Competition

In March 2021, it marked the first time since the 2017 Ranking Competition that he missed winning a domestic competition when he finished second.

2018: Winter Olympics Games

In 2018, Cha Jun-hwan competed at the Winter Olympics Games in Pyeongchang at the age of 16, finishing in 15th place, the best Olympic result for a South Korean male skater. He had arrived late due to being quarantined with the flu.

2020: Skate Canada International Cancellation

In 2020, Cha Jun-hwan was assigned to compete at the Skate Canada International event, which was ultimately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also had challenges adjusting to new training situations.

2022: 2022 Winter Olympics and World Championships

In 2022, at the Winter Olympics, Cha Jun-hwan placed fifth overall. He later withdrew from the 2022 World Championships due to boot problems, which posed a risk of injury.

2023: 2023 Season: Shanghai Trophy, Skate Canada International, and Injury

In 2023, Cha Jun-hwan won the silver medal at the Shanghai Trophy. At the Skate Canada International, he placed ninth overall. He withdrew from the Grand Prix of Espoo due to a right ankle injury but won the Korean national ranking competition using painkillers.

2024: 2024-25 Grand Prix Series and Finlandia Trophy

In 2024, Cha Jun-hwan placed fourth in the short program at Skate Canada International, moving up to win the bronze medal overall. At the 2024 Finlandia Trophy, he withdrew due to worsening ankle pain and plans to focus on treating his injury.

2024: 2024 Season: National Gold Medal, Four Continents Bronze, and World Championships

In 2024, Cha Jun-hwan won another national gold medal and the bronze medal at the Four Continents Championships. He came tenth at the 2024 World Championships while dealing with an ongoing injury.

2025: Candidacy for IOC Athletes' Commission

In 2025, Cha Jun-hwan ran in the domestic selection for the South Korean candidate for the IOC Athletes' Commission, with the aim of advocating for athletes' rights; however, the candidacy was ultimately awarded to bobsledder Won Yun-jong.

2025: 2025-26 Challenger Series and Other Competitions

In 2025, Cha Jun-hwan started the season by winning gold at the 2025 CS Kinoshita Group Cup. He then withdrew from the 2025 CS Denis Ten Memorial Challenge due to boot problems and finished eighth at the 2025 Cup of China, also due to skate issues. He placed fifth at the 2025 NHK Trophy, citing limited practice due to boot problems. Despite the challenges, Cha aimed to regroup for the second half of the season.

2025: 2025 World Championships

In March 2025, at the World Championships in Boston, Cha Jun-hwan finished seventh overall after placing tenth in the short program and fifth in the free skate. This placement earned South Korea one quota for the men's event at the 2026 Winter Olympics and an opportunity to qualify a second quota. Cha reflected on a challenging season with 11 competitions and an injury, expressing gratitude for the support from his family, fans, and coach.