Life after judo: An examination of the life experience and post-retirement career choices of South Korean judo Olympic medallists

This study aims to examine the current living conditions of former South Korean Olympic judo medallists and to investigate what impact their life as athletes has had on their choice of career path. The primary method for qualitative research is an analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with five Olympic judo medallists. Results suggest that these athletes have suffered as a result of the lack of studying whilst pursuing an extensive athletic lifestyle, and consequently have found difficulty in terms of social mobility and preferred career options unrelated to judo. This study proposes differentiated educational and career programmes for elite athletes in South Korea. In addition, a means of evaluating programmes that may enable them to take various career paths other than sports after retirement is suggested.