He won his Olympic gold medal by way of Ippon against Vitaly Makarov of Russia with 9 seconds left. He was leading in the bout anyway, but had secured the win when he went in for Drop Seoi Nage and combined it with Kouchi gari to deliver Makarov onto his back with force. He was voted top judoka in the 2004 Olympics.[4] Lee was renowned for his favourite technique Tai Otoshi.[5]
Lee is arguably one of the best South Korean judokas ever to live.[6][according to whom?] During his active career, he was nicknamed "Mr. Ippon" and "Grand Slammer" for his 48-game winning streak, of which, 43 were won by ippon.[7] He lost to Wang Ki-chun in the qualifications for the 2007 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro and 2008 Olympics in Beijing.[8]
Lee taught judo at his alma mater Yong In University.[9] In 2015, he was promoted to head coach of the South Korean Women's Judo National Team.[10]
Personal life
Lee attended Boseong Middle School.[11] He is believed to have an IQ of 148.[7]
In 2008, Lee married golfer Kim Mi-hyun,[12] and they have a son, Yeseong.[13] The couple divorced in 2012.[14]
In 2018, Lee married South Korean table tennis player Yun Ji-Hye[15] and have a daughter together.[16][17]
^"이원희 김미현 이혼이유는?...김미현 은퇴 이것때문에" [What is the reason for Lee Won-hee and Kim Mi-hyun's divorce?... Kim Mi-hyun retires because of this]. ggilbo.com (in Korean). 29 June 2021. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
^"이원희♥윤지혜 부부 득녀 "한판이, 태어나줘서 고마워"" [Lee Won-hee and Yoon Ji-hye have a daughter, "Han Pan-i, thank you for being born."]. SBS NEWS (in Korean). 17 July 2018. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
^"'국가대표 부부' 이원희♥윤지혜, 2월 결혼부터 7월 득녀까지[종합]" ['National couple' Lee Won-hee ♥ Yoon Ji-hye, from marriage in February to having a daughter in July [Comprehensive]]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). 19 July 2020. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
^"이원희 김미현 만남부터 헤어짐, 그리고 재혼까지" [Wonhee Lee and Mihyeon Kim From meeting to breaking up and remarriage]. ggilbo.com (in Korean). 4 August 2021. Archived from the original on 19 August 2022. Retrieved 19 August 2022.
^"'뭉쳐야찬다' 이원희, 천하장사 이만기 상대로도 한판승" ['The Gentlemen's League' Lee Wonhee wins against Lee Manki, the worlds best player]. Edaily [ko] (in Korean). 27 October 2019. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
^"'저축맨' 유도 금메달리스트 이원희 등장, 박치+성대모사 무능력자 '예능 화수분' (복면가왕)" ['Savings Man' Lee Wonhee, gold medalist in Judo, appears on variety show (King of Mask Singer)]. 뉴스인사이드 (in Korean). 30 October 2016. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
^"'런닝맨' 김기태-이원희-정두홍 등 스포츠인 100명과 방송인 100명 승부전 예고" ['Running Man' 100 Sportsmen, including Kim Ki Tae, Lee Wonhee, and Jung Doohong, and 100 broadcasters will compete]. 뉴스인사이드 (in Korean). 30 October 2015. Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.