Worldly experience: Michigan State judo coach Jongoon Kim (left) officiated the judo competition at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. (Photo courtesy of Jongoon Kim)
Former MSU judo coach Kim enjoyed being a teacher
Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony tonight
Dan Kilbridge
For the Lansing State Journal
With more than 60 years of experience in the field of martial arts, Jongoon Kim’s achievements are remarkable.
A native of Taegu, South Korea, Kim served as president of the National Collegiate Judo Association, as well as the National Coaches Association in the early 1970s.
He also participated in the Olympics as an official on three occasions – in 1976 (Montreal), 1988 (Seoul) and 1996 (Atlanta).
Ask Kim about his most satisfying achievement, however, and he’ll tell you it’s the way in which he oversaw more than 20,000 students as a coach and instructor at Michigan State and Lansing Community College.
“That’s my proudest accomplishment,” Kim said. “Many students and I shared personally, not only skills, but philosophy or education. That was just a fantastic, rewarding experience and made me never really tired of teaching.”
Now, after spending more than 40 years as an instructor in the area, Kim is one of eight individuals and one team to be inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame today at 7 p.m. at Lansing Community College’s Gannon Building.
Konan Judo 
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