# Park Joo-bong

Park Joo-bong (Korean: 박주봉; Hanja: 朴柱奉; born 5 December 1964) is a South Korean former badminton player who excelled from the early 1980s through the mid-1990s. He was a member of South Korean national team from 1981 to 1996. He won a gold medal in the men's doubles at the 1992 Olympics, three-times World mixed doubles champion, two-times World men's doubles champion, and a silver medal in the mixed doubles at the 1996 Olympics.

## Career

Park began his badminton career at the age of 11 encouraged by his father, Park Myung-soo. He was selected to join the South Korean national team in 1981.
Park is one of the most successful players ever in the World Badminton Championships with 5 titles, 2 of them in men's doubles and 3 in mixed doubles. He also won a gold and a silver medal at the Summer Olympics and 9 All England Open Badminton Championships titles. Inspired by his idol Christian Hadinata, though Park was primarily a doubles player, the greatest one ever in the opinion of some, he was capable of world class level singles which he displayed in occasional tournaments and Thomas Cup appearances early in his career and currently holds the South Korean national record of 103 consecutive wins in men's singles from 1981 to 1984. His playing strengths included remarkable reflexes, reach, quickness, agility, and power.
Park competed for Korea in badminton at the 1992 Summer Olympics in men's doubles with partner Kim Moon-Soo. They won the gold medal defeating Eddy Hartono and Rudy Gunawan from Indonesia 15-11, 15-7. Park also competed for Korea in badminton at the 1996 Summer Olympics in mixed doubles with partner Ra Kyung-min. They won the silver medal, losing in the final against Kim Dong-moon and Gil Young-ah 13-15, 15-4, 15-12.
Park was the first Korean player to be inducted into the Badminton Hall of Fame in 2001.

## Personal life

Park is married to Lee Soo-jin, with their son Park Kwang-ryul who was born on 2 October 1994. Besides being able to speak his mother tongue, he can also speak English and Japanese.

## Achievements
### Olympic Games

Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1992 | Pavelló de la Mar Bella, Barcelona, Spain | Kim Moon-soo | Rudy Gunawan Eddy Hartono | 15–11, 15–7 | Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1988 (exhibition) | Seoul National University Gymnasium, Seoul, South Korea | Chung Myung-hee | Wang Pengren Shi Fangjing | 15–3, 15–7 | Gold |
| 1996 | Georgia State University Gymnasium, Atlanta, United States | Ra Kyung-min | Kim Dong-moon Gil Young-ah | 15–13, 4–15, 12–15 | Silver |

### World Championships

Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1983 | Brøndby Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark | Lee Eun-ku | Martin Dew Mike Tredgett | 8–15, 15–2, 4–15 | Bronze |
| 1985 | Olympic Saddledome, Calgary, Canada | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 5–15, 15–7, 15–9 | Gold |
| 1987 | Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China | Kim Moon-soo | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 16–17, 4–15 | Bronze |
| 1991 | Brøndby Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark | Kim Moon-soo | Jon Holst-Christensen Thomas Lund | 15–4, 15–6 | Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1985 | Olympic Saddledome, Calgary, Canada | Yoo Sang-hee | Stefan Karlsson Maria Bengtsson | 15–10, 12–15, 15–12 | Gold |
| 1989 | Senayan Sports Complex, Jakarta, Indonesia | Chung Myung-hee | Eddy Hartono Verawaty Fadjrin | 15–9, 15–9 | Gold |
| 1991 | Brøndby Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark | Chung Myung-hee | Thomas Lund Pernille Dupont | 15–5, 15–17, 15–9 | Gold |

### World Cup

Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1983 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Kim Moon-soo | Bobby Ertanto Christian Hadinata | 15–6, 15–11 | Gold |
| 1986 | Senayan Sports Complex, Jakarta, Indonesia | Kim Moon-soo | Bobby Ertanto Liem Swie King | 11–15, 8–15 | Bronze |
| 1987 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 15–6, 6–15, 15–11 | Gold |
| 1989 | Guangzhou Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 15–10, 15–11 | Gold |
| 1991 | Macau Forum, Macau | Kim Moon-soo | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 18–15, 11–15, 2–15 | Silver |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1988 | National Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | Chung Myung-hee | Wang Pengren Shi Fangjing | 17–15, 13–18, 8–15 | Silver |
| 1989 | Guangzhou Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China | Chung Myung-hee | Kim Moon-soo Chung So-young | 15–5, 15–9 | Gold |

### Asian Games

Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1982 | Indraprastha Indoor Stadium, New Delhi, India | Lee Eun-ku | Lin Jiangli Luan Jin | 3–15, 15–10, 16–17 | Bronze |
| 1986 | Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Seoul, South Korea | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 15–8, 15–10 | Gold |
| 1990 | Beijing Gymnasium, Beijing, China | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 8–15, 4–15 | Silver |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1986 | Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Seoul, South Korea | Chung Myung-hee | Lee Deuk-choon Chung So-young | 15–10, 15–3 | Gold |
| 1990 | Beijing Gymnasium, Beijing, China | Chung Myung-hee | Eddy Hartono Verawaty Fadjrin | 15–7, 7–15, 15–3 | Gold |

### Asian Championships

Men's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1983 | Netaji Indoor Stadium, Calcutta, India | Chen Changjie | 9–15, 7–15 | Bronze |
Men's doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1985 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Kim Moon-soo | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 15–5, 8–15, 15–2 | Gold |
| 1991 | Cheras Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Kim Moon-soo | Chen Hongyong Chen Kang | 15–12, 15–10 | Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1983 | Netaji Indoor Stadium, Calcutta, India | Kim Yun-ja | Hafid Yusuf Ruth Damayanti | 15–3, 15–2 | Gold |
| 1991 | Cheras Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Chung Myung-hee | Lee Sang-bok Chung So-young | 15–7, 15–4 | Gold |

### Asian Cup

Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1996 | Olympic Gymnasium No. 2, Seoul, South Korea | Ra Kyung-min | Kang Kyung-jin Kim Mee-hyang | 15–6, 15–8 | Gold |

### IBF World Grand Prix (47 titles, 9 runners-up)

The World Badminton Grand Prix sanctioned by International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 1983 to 2006.
Men's singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1985 | India Open | Steve Baddeley | 17–18, 2–15 | Runner-up |
| 1987 | Chinese Taipei Open | Misbun Sidek | 15–5, 9–15, 3–15 | Runner-up |
Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1983 | Malaysia Open | Sung Han-kuk | Bobby Ertanto Christian Hadinata | 10–15, 5–15 | Runner-up |
| 1984 | Swedish Open | Kim Moon-soo | Stefan Karlsson Thomas Kihlström | 15–8, 10–15, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1985 | Japan Open | Kim Moon-soo | Hadibowo Christian Hadinata | 17–16, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1985 | All England Open | Kim Moon-soo | Mark Christiansen Michael Kjeldsen | 7–15, 15–10, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1985 | India Open | Kim Moon-soo | Steve Baddeley Nick Yates | 15–3, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1986 | German Open | Kim Moon-soo | Steen Fladberg Jesper Helledie | 15–8, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1986 | All England Open | Kim Moon-soo | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 15–2, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1988 | Japan Open | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 15–18, 4–15 | Runner-up |
| 1988 | French Open | Sung Han-kuk | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 15–8, 12–15, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1989 | Japan Open | Lee Sang-bok | Jan-Eric Antonsson Pär-Gunnar Jönsson | 15–6, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1989 | Swedish Open | Lee Sang-bok | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 14–17, 12–15 | Runner-up |
| 1989 | All England Open | Lee Sang-bok | Rudy Gunawan Eddy Hartono | 15–8, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1989 | Malaysia Open | Kim Moon-soo | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 15–12, 10–15, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1989 | Thailand Open | Kim Moon-soo | Cheah Soon Kit Razif Sidek | 15–11, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1990 | Japan Open | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 3–15, 17–16, 18–13 | Winner |
| 1990 | All England Open | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 17–14, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1990 | French Open | Kim Moon-soo | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 15–3, 15–10 | Winner |
| 1990 | Thailand Open | Kim Moon-soo | Chen Hongyong Chen Kang | 15–7, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1990 | Malaysia Open | Kim Moon-soo | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 15–4, 13–15, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1991 | Japan Open | Kim Moon-soo | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 15–4, retired | Winner |
| 1991 | Korea Open | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 15–3, 13–15, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1991 | All England Open | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 15–12, 7–15, 8–15 | Runner-up |
| 1991 | Malaysia Open | Kim Moon-soo | Jalani Sidek Razif Sidek | 15–8, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1991 | Indonesia Open | Kim Moon-soo | Rudy Gunawan Eddy Hartono | 18–15, 15–13 | Winner |
| 1991 | Singapore Open | Kim Moon-soo | Huang Zhanzhong Zheng Yumin | 15–2, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1991 | Denmark Open | Kim Moon-soo | Huang Zhanzhong Zheng Yumin | 10–15, 9–15 | Runner-up |
| 1992 | Korea Open | Kim Moon-soo | Li Yongbo Tian Bingyi | 15–10, 15–10 | Winner |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1986 | All England Open | Chung Myung-hee | Lee Deuk-choon Chung So-young | 15–5, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1986 | China Open | Chung Myung-hee | Nigel Tier Gillian Gowers | 15–4, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1987 | French Open | Kim Yun-ja | Mark Christiansen Erica van Dijck | 15–10, 15–7 | Winner |
| 1988 | Japan Open | Chung Myung-hee | Lee Deuk-choon Chung So-young | Walkover | Winner |
| 1988 | French Open | Chung Myung-hee | Sakrapee Thongsari Piyathip Sansaniyakulvilai | 15–6, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1988 | Hong Kong Open | Chung Myung-hee | Chan Chi Choi Amy Chan | 15–7, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1988 | China Open | Chung Myung-hee | Wang Pengren Shi Fangjing | 15–6, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1989 | Japan Open | Chung Myung-hee | Lee Sang-bok Chung So-young | 15–6, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1989 | Swedish Open | Chung Myung-hee | Wang Pengren Shi Fangjing | 15–9, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1989 | All England Open | Chung Myung-hee | Jan-Eric Antonsson Maria Bengtsson | 15–1, 15–9 | Winner |
| 1989 | Malaysia Open | Chung So-young | Thomas Lund Pernille Dupont | 15–7, 15–13 | Winner |
| 1989 | Thailand Open | Chung So-young | Kim Moon-soo Hwang Hye-young | 15–4, 15–2 | Winner |
| 1990 | Japan Open | Chung Myung-hee | Thomas Lund Pernille Dupont | 15–10, 15–12 | Winner |
| 1990 | All England Open | Chung Myung-hee | Jon Holst-Christensen Grete Mogensen | 15–6, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1990 | French Open | Chung Myung-hee | Kim Moon-soo Chung So-young | 4–15, 6–15 | Runner-up |
| 1990 | Thailand Open | Chung Myung-hee | Zheng Yumin Wu Yuhong | 15–3, 15–3 | Winner |
| 1990 | Malaysia Open | Chung Myung-hee | Jan Paulsen Gillian Gowers | 15–12, 15–1 | Winner |
| 1991 | Japan Open | Chung Myung-hee | Jon Holst-Christensen Grete Mogensen | 15–7, 15–8 | Winner |
| 1991 | Korea Open | Chung Myung-hee | Pär-Gunnar Jönsson Maria Bengtsson | 15–0, 15–0 | Winner |
| 1991 | All England Open | Chung Myung-hee | Thomas Lund Pernille Dupont | 15–10, 10–15, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1995 | Hong Kong Open | Shim Eun-jung | Liu Jianjun Sun Man | 15–8, 2–15, 17–14 | Winner |
| 1995 | China Open | Shim Eun-jung | Chen Xingdong Peng Xinyong | 11–15, 15–4, 10–15 | Runner-up |
| 1995 | Thailand Open | Ra Kyung-min | Nikolai Zuyev Marina Yakusheva | 15–1, 15–4 | Winner |
| 1996 | Japan Open | Ra Kyung-min | Kim Dong-moon Gil Young-ah | 15–7, 15–1 | Winner |
| 1996 | Korea Open | Ra Kyung-min | Simon Archer Julie Bradbury | 15–9, 15–11 | Winner |
| 1996 | Swedish Open | Ra Kyung-min | Chen Xingdong Peng Xinyong | 15–4, 15–6 | Winner |
| 1996 | All England Open | Ra Kyung-min | Simon Archer Julie Bradbury | 15–10, 15–10 | Winner |

### IBF International (4 titles)

Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1988 | Polish International | Lee Sang-bok | Fu Qiang Li Jian | | Winner |
| 1991 | USSR International | Kim Moon-soo | Kim Hyung-jin Park Sung-woo | 15–4, 15–5 | Winner |
| 1993 | Iran Fajr International | Kim Moon-soo | Hameed Nasimi Mansour Shakoori | 15–6, 15–5 | Winner |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1988 | Polish International | Chung Myung-hee | Sergey Sevryukov Irina Serova | | Winner |

### International Tournament (1 title)

Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1982 | Denmark Open | Lee Eun-ku | Christian Hadinata Lius Pongoh | 15–9, 11–15, 18–16 | Winner |

### Invitational tournament (1 runners-up)

Men's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1988 | Asian Invitational Championships | Bandar Lampung, Indonesia | Lee Sang-bok | Zhang Qiang Zhou Jincan | 4–15, 6–15 | Silver |