Yeungnam University ssireum coach Heo Yong wins minister's commendation from Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Yeungnam University announced Wednesday that ssireum coach Heo Yong received a minister's commendation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in the coaching category, in recognition of the 15th Ssireum Day.

Heo has served as head coach of the Yeungnam University ssireum team since September 2011, guiding the program to 92 championship titles across team and individual events at national competitions.

He has also contributed to the development of ssireum in Korea by producing numerous graduates who have gone on to become teachers and civil servants.

Heo is the second head coach in the history of the Yeungnam University ssireum team, which was founded in 1954. The Korea Ssireum Association named Yeungnam University an outstanding collegiate ssireum program in both 2023 and 2024.

He led Yeungnam University to the collegiate team title at the 27th Jeungpyeong Ginseng Cup National Ssireum Championship in April, earning the tournament's outstanding coach award in the process. He is widely credited with ushering in a second golden era for the program.