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South Korean golfer Tom Kim won the men's golf gold medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Kasugai, Japan, finishing 18 strokes under par and three strokes ahead of his nearest competitors. The victory grants him an exemption from mandatory military service. Kim arrived in Japan early Tuesday, played a practice round despite jet lag, and said he hoped to send South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol a photo of him biting his gold medal.
KASUGAI, JAPAN - Tom Kim of South Korea celebrates after winning gold during the Golf Men's final round of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya at Kasugai Country Club.
at Medinah Country Club last Sunday in Chicago to fly to Japan to compete in the tournament at Kasugai Country Club. He landed at 5 a.m. Tuesday and participated in a practice round three hours later while jet-lagged. Able-bodied South Korean men are required to take on 18-21 months of military service before they turn 28.
The government hands out exemptions to winners of Asian Games events and those who take home an Olympic medal of any color. Kim fell short at the 2024 Paris Olympics when he finished eighth in men's golf. The 24-year-old Kim finished the 2026 Asian Games 18-under-par to win the event by three strokes. His last opportunity at an exemption had he not won this week was likely the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics when he would be 26.
"I came here believing that if I just did my thing, things would work out well in the end," Kim said. "I tried to maintain that mindset throughout and just play my game. "A reply has not been sent just yet, but Kim said, "I think I will send him a photo of me biting my gold medal. "
Tom Kim Asian Games Golf South Korea Military Service Exemption
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