Bae Gi-Tae

Bae Gi-Tae was the first Korean speed-skater to win a senior international championship when he became World Sprint Champion at Tromsø in 1990, after the favorites failed one-by-one. He started his career as an allrounder, however, albeit with little success. When he later converted to sprint, he still participated in the world championships allround, and won the 500 m three times (1987-88 and 1990). Bae also won three gold medals at the Asian Winter Games, winning the 1,000 m in both 1986 and 1990, and the 1,500 m in 1990.

Personal Bests: 500 – 36.89 (1988); 1000 – 1:14.07 (1988); 1500 – 1:55.54 (1987); 5000 – 7:17.80 (1986); 10000 – 15:29.31 (1984).