Baek Ok-Ja’s Story of Two-Consecutive Asian Games Gold Medals as Seen Through Newspapers

Purpose: This study analyzed Baek Ok-Ja’s journey to winning two consecutive Asian Games gold medals through newspaper articles and examined their significance in sports history.<br/> Method: The timeline was divided into three periods. First, the study examines Baek Ok-Ja’s journey from her entry into track and field to becoming a champion at the 1970 Asian Games, followed by her achievement of winning two consecutive gold medals at the 1974 Asian Games. An interview with Baek Ok- Ja was conducted to enhance the quality of the research. The collected information was compiled into a chronological table, then analyzed and interpreted to summarize the findings.<br/> Results: Baek Ok-Ja showed exceptional athletic talent from a young age. Despite facing significant challenges due to her parents’ opposition and difficult family circumstances, she was able to pursue throwing events with the support of her teacher, Baek Un-Yang. Baek Ok-Ja’s remarkable throwing ability led her to win a bronze medal in the discus throw and a gold medal in the shot put, setting an Asian record of 14.57 meters at the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games. She continued her success at the 1974 Tehran Asian Games, where she set a new Asian record of 16.28 meters and won the event for the second consecutive time, showcasing the strength of Korean women’s sports.<br/> Conclusion: This study confirmed that Baek Ok-Ja was a pioneer in women’s sports who thrived during challenging times in Korea. Her achievements laid the foundation for the development of women’s sports in Korea, now recognized as a leading sports powerhouse.