SANTA SUSANNA, Spain — Sejong City has firmly planted its name on the international bodybuilding map. Three athletes representing the Sejong Special Self-Governing City Bodybuilding Association returned home from the 2026 IFBB World Fitness and Bodybuilding Championships boasting a stellar collection of hardware: two gold medals, three silvers, and two overall titles.

The prestigious tournament, which ran from October 29 to November 2 in Santa Susanna, Spain, brought together elite physiques from across the globe. Among the South Korean national delegation, the trio from Sejong—Lee Jae-cheon, Baek Seong-hoon, and Lee Jeong-geun—stood out through rigorous preparation and world-class conditioning.

Lee Jae-cheon emerged as one of the weekend's dominant forces, capturing the gold medal and the prestigious overall title in the Men's Classic Bodybuilding +180cm division. Lee added to his accolades by securing a hard-fought silver medal in the Men's Games Classic Bodybuilding +180cm class.

Veteran powerhouse Baek Seong-hoon delivered an equally impressive campaign, sweeping the Men's Masters Games Classic Bodybuilding (Ages 45+) category with a 1st-place finish and an overall championship win. Baek's endurance and versatility were on full display as he also collected silver medals in the Men's Games Classic Bodybuilding -171cm and Men's Classic Bodybuilding -168cm divisions, totaling three podium finishes.

Meanwhile, Lee Jeong-geun represented his country with distinction, gaining high-level international exposure and holding his own against the world’s best competitors.

Local sports leadership attributes this historic milestone to a combination of individual perseverance and structured municipal support. The Sejong Special Self-Governing City Sports Council emphasized that these triumphs validate the region's rising competitiveness in international sports.

Moving forward, the Sejong Special Self-Governing City Bodybuilding Association and the Sports Council pledged to expand local infrastructure, refine athlete development pathways, and ensure that Sejong continues to serve as a breeding ground for future world champions.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]