Figure skating star supported by Seoul City’s new sports program

Figure skating star Cha Jun-hwan and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon pose during an event held for the athlete at City Hall in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government

Figure skating star Cha Jun-hwan, 24, has joined the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s new figure skating team as its first member, officials said on Wednesday.

Cha, who won the gold medal in the men’s singles event at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity, which will provide him with stable support for training ahead of next year’s Winter Olympics in Italy.

The city government launched the figure skating team as part of its broader effort to nurture young athletes and support competitors in less-publicized sports. It currently runs 26 teams with a total of 189 athletes, including fencers, sprinters and women's soccer players.

At this year’s Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Seoul's athletes won two gold medals and three silver medals, helping Korea finish as the overall runner-up behind China.

“I am so honored and excited to be the first athlete to join the figure skating team of the city government in Seoul. The fact that it is the first such Korean team established for figure skaters makes it even more meaningful,” Cha said at a joining ceremony held for him atCity Hall. “I have been able to get this far, thanks to the support of many people, and I will do my best in training and competing as a member of the team.”

Mayor Oh Se-hoon welcomed him and pledged strong support for his continued success.

Cha is the first Korean male skater to claim titles at both the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships and the Asian Winter Games, as well as the first to earn a medal at the World Championships and the Grand Prix Final.

“Seoul City will support Cha Jun-hwan in all his training, competitions and his journey to the Olympics,” Oh said.