Cha Jun-hwan's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Cha Jun-hwan. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

2016: Junior Grand Prix Debut and Gold Medals

Starting the 2016 season, Cha Jun-hwan earned two spots on the Junior Grand Prix circuit, debuting at JGP Japan and placing second in the short program. He landed a quadruple Salchow at JGP Japan, becoming the first Korean male skater to do so in an ISU international competition, and won gold. Cha then won his second gold medal at the 2016 JGP Germany, qualifying for the 2016–17 Junior Grand Prix Final.

2018: First Grand Prix Medal and Grand Prix Final Qualification

In 2018, at Skate Canada, Cha Jun-hwan won the bronze medal, becoming the second South Korean figure skater ever to win a Grand Prix medal, and the first-ever South Korean man to make the podium. He then won a second bronze medal at 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki, making him the first-ever South Korean man to win two medals on the Grand Prix series, qualifying him for the 2018 Grand Prix Final.

2021: Fifth Win at Ranking Competition

In 2021, Cha Jun-hwan achieved his fifth win at the Ranking Competition.

2021: Fifth Consecutive Title and World Championships

In 2021, Cha Jun-hwan won his fifth consecutive title at the South Korean Championships in late February and was assigned to Korea's lone men's berth at the 2021 World Championships in Stockholm.

2022: Gold Medal at Four Continents Championships

In 2022, Cha Jun-hwan was named to the South Korean team for the 2022 Winter Olympics. He won a gold medal at the Four Continents Championships in Tallinn, becoming the first South Korean man to win and medal at the competition.

2022: 2022 Ranking Competition Win

In December 2022, Cha Jun-hwan won the Ranking Competition held in South Korea for the sixth time.

2023: Silver Medal at 2023 World Championships and 2023 World Team Trophy

In 2023, Cha Jun-hwan won the silver medal at the World Championships, becoming the first South Korean male skater to reach the podium. He then helped the Korean team win the silver medal at the 2023 World Team Trophy.

2025: Honorary and Promotional Ambassador Roles

In 2025, Cha Jun-hwan was appointed as honorary ambassador for Incheon International Airport and became a promotional ambassador for the 120th anniversary of Korea University following his graduation.

2025: 2025 Asian Winter Games Gold Medal and Military Service Classification

In 2025, Cha Jun-hwan won the gold medal at the Asian Winter Games, the first ever for a Korean male skater. Following this win, he was classified as Art and Sports Personnel, a type of supplementary service, generally considered a form of exemption from compulsory military service.

2025: Gold Medal at Ranking Competition and South Korean Championships

In 2025, Cha Jun-hwan won the gold medal at the Ranking Competition and his ninth consecutive national title at the South Korean Championships, solidifying his place on the 2025 Worlds team.

2025: 2025 Winter World University Games

In January 2025, Cha Jun-hwan competed at the Winter World University Games in Turin, Italy, and won the bronze medal after delivering a clean free skate, despite recovering from an injury.

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.

2026: 2026 Winter Olympics Quota

Cha Jun-hwan's performance at the 2025 World Championships earned South Korea one quota for the men's event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, as well as an opportunity to qualify a second quota.

2026: 2026 Korean Ranking Competition and South Korean Championships

In early December, Cha Jun-hwan finished second at the Korean Ranking Competition, securing a spot on the 2026 Four Continents team and leading in the Milan Olympics team selection. He addressed ongoing boot problems and fatigue but expressed determination. The following month, in January 2026, Cha won his tenth consecutive national title at the 2026 South Korean Championships and was named to the 2026 Winter Olympic team.