South Korean distance freestyler Kim Junwoo has committed to swim at the University of Florida as a part of the Gators’ class of 2030.
I am so excited to announce a verbal commitment to continue my academic and swimming career at the University of Florida. Next, I would like to thank all the coaches at the University of Florida for this amazing opportunity. I would also like to thank my parents for supporting me throughout this entire process. Go Gators!!! 🐊🐊🐊
Kim represented his home country of South Korea at the 2024 World Short Course Swimming Championships. At those championships, Kim finished in the top 30 in both of his swims; he touched 26th in the 800 free, clocking 7:49.71, additionally he finished 29th in the 400 free with his time of 3:46.09.
He has also competed in a pair of stops on the World Cup circuit (SCM) in 2024 in both Singapore and Incheon (South Korea). Incheon showed to be one of his best outings of his career, earning silver in the 800 free, clocking 7:39.15, marking his top performance ever in that event. He also set a new best in the 400 free of 3:41.92, a time good enough for 7th overall.
In more recent results, Kim found the podium three times at the KB Financial Korea Swimming Championships in March (LCM). His best placement came in the 1500 free, touching at 15:18.48 for silver, 17 seconds slower than what he swam at the World Junior Swimming Championships in 2023 (15:01.94). He added a pair of bronze medals to his total in both the 200 free (1:48.23) and 800 free (8:02.64)
Best Times Converted to SCY:
| Event | SCM | LCM |
SCY Conversion
|
| 800 Free | 7:39.15 |
8:44.74 (1000 Free)
|
|
| 400 Free | 3:41.92 |
4:13.62 (500 Free)
|
|
| 1500 Free | 15:01.94 | 14:44.25 (1650 Free) | |
| 200 Free | 1:48.23 | 1:34.23 |
Florida finished as the runner-up at the 2025 SEC Swimming and Diving Championships.
Based on Kim’s converted times, he would have finished 4th in the 1650 free, 13th in the 500 free, and 23rd in the 200 free at SECs. Kim’s converted 1650 free would have been just one spot outside of scoring position at last season’s NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships (17th).
Kim brings elite distance speed with him to Gainesville. Head Coach Anthony Nesty has a proven track record of success in distance freestyle, coaching the likes of Katie Ledecky, Bobby Finke, and Kieran Smith, just to name a few.
Nesty also landed the now two-time world champion distance freestyler Ahmed Jaouadi, who will make his collegiate debut this season for the Gators. Jaouadi is not the only Tunisian star that is set to join the Gators; Tokyo Olympic Gold Medalist Ahmed Hafnaoui will also head to Gainesville to train with the Gator team.
The move feels fitting for a recruit with potential future NCAA scoring speed to join a group of proven stars in those disciplines.
The Class of 2030 for the Gators now includes Kim, alongside Tai Pearson, Liam Smith, and Santi Alzate.
I’m still waiting on that official announcement about Kim YoungBeom. That boy done come by the team too! He’s one of the most promising young swimmers outta Korea, and I sure can’t wait to see what he’s gonna do.
Florida on an insane run bringing in international distance freestylers
*international swimmers in general*
Wiffen looking very closely at this one
From world’s second best distance training group lol
I keep forgetting how fast the SEC is, 4.13 was 13th in the 500 Free !