South Korea's Jang, Kim advance to boxing finals at Asian Games

South Korean men's boxing moved within reach of its first Asian Games gold medal in 12 years Tuesday, as two fighters punched their way into the finals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Jang Dong-hwan and Kim Min-sung, both of Korea National Sport University, each won their semifinal bouts by unanimous decision at Nishio Gymnasium in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. With at least silver medals already secured, the pair will chase a double gold in their respective finals on Friday.

In the men's 60-kilogram division, Jang dominated Akmal Ubaidov of Tajikistan 5-0 (30-26, 30-26, 30-26, 30-26, 29-27). Using quick footwork and precise scoring punches, Jang controlled the bout from start to finish. He sealed the victory in the third round by knocking down his opponent, earning the nod from all five judges.

Kim Min-sung followed in the men's 80-kilogram division, defeating Hussein Iashaishi of Jordan 5-0 (29-28, 30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28) to join Jang in the finals. Kim trailed on three judges' scorecards after the first round, but turned the fight around in the second with a powerful knockdown punch. He swept all five judges' cards in the third round to complete the comeback.

South Korean men's boxing has not won an Asian Games gold since the 2014 Incheon Games, when Shin Jong-hun took the 49-kilogram title and Ham Sang-myung claimed the 56-kilogram crown. The team went home without a medal from the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, and at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, Jeong Jae-min's bronze in the 92-kilogram class was the country's only podium finish in the sport.