Jimmy Kim death: Taekwondo master, CA, dies after battling with a rare lung disease

Grandmaster Jimmy Young Kim ,1988 Olympic gold medalist for USA passed away at the age of 56. Let’s see how did the Taekwondo master die and his cause of death in detail.

How did Jimmy Kim die?

Jimmy Young Kim, Taekwondo master, CA, passed away at the age of 56. This sad news was announced by one of his family members on his official facebook page.

The statement reads, 

Master Jimmy Kim passed peacefully last night at 8:40 pm at UCSD Medical Center.

Since May of 2022, Master Kim had been battling an uncommon and aggressive autoimmune disorder called Dermatomyositis that primarily attacked his lungs. He was hospitalized on Memorial Day due to breathing difficulty and low blood oxygen level and he was transferred to ICU last week until he passed.

There will be more information, but the family requests privacy at this time.

Please share your comments and photos of Master Kim on this Facebook page. Thank you.

Who was Jimmy Kim?

Jimmy Young Kim, an American who practised and taught taekwondo, was born on April 11, 1967. He won the gold medal in the heavyweight division at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.

Kim graduated from UC Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a focus on human physiology. He obtained a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the Los Angeles College of Chiropractic, currently known as the Southern California University of Health Sciences, after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley. 

Jimmy Young Kim cause of death:

Jimmy Young Kim died after battling an uncommon and aggressive autoimmune disorder called Dermatomyositis. He was diagnosed with this disease as of May 2022. 

Kim was admitted to the hospital on Memorial Day because he was having trouble breathing and had low blood oxygen levels. He was moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) last week, where he died.

Dermatomyositis is an uncommon illness that causes muscular inflammation. It is characterised by symmetric proximal muscle weakness, a skin rash, and extramacular symptoms such as esophageal dysfunction and interstitial lung disease. 

Tributes flooded social media after his sudden demise news broke out.

Tributes to Jimmy Kim:

Naranjo June posted,

Today we lost America’s Legend, a well respected person in the World of Taekwondo… a person who brings Honor to America as he won World Taekwondo Championship Titles and Gold medal for the 1988 Olympic Game… A great mentor and Master… we are honored to be a part of the JKTC TEAM MEMBER…. Gone to soon but rest assured you will not be forgoten…. thank you … MASTER JIMMY KIM … Rest in Peace…

Bear Force Taekwondo Academy posted,

I am sad to post that I lost a very good friend last night Grand Master. He was a icon and a incredible human being not only in Taekwondo but in life. He will truly be missed rest in peace my friend

Gunny Kang posted,

Along with millions of Taekwondo athletes throughout the world, Vision MA Inc. is devastated by today’s tragic news. Vision MA Inc. extend our deepest condolences to the Kim Family those who are closest to Master Jimmy Kim the 1988 Gold medalist and USA Olympian.
Our heartfelt sympathies go out to everyone involved and impacted.

Mundotaekwondo posted,

We can’t believe it. Jimmy Kim The first Olympic champion of the USA Team (Seoul 88) in +83 kg died in the United States, after suffering from an aggressive disease.
Kim broke the hegemony of Korea in the first edition of the Olympic Games where Taekwondo was a demonstration and Kim represented the USA.
His life in California was dedicated to Taekwondo. His event at Ling Beach became an epicenter of competitions for decades.
We meet with his departure.
However, it is only fair to honor his life in Taekwondo.
Rest in peace.

Gerard Robbins posted,

“The loss of a truly gentle giant”
For those who have never heard or seen GM Jimmy Kim, 1988 Olympic gold medalist who will be sorely missed.

Pinaki Narayan Moitra posted,

A great loss for the Taekwondo community as Grandmaster Jimmy Kim ,1988 Olympic gold medalist for USA is no more with us.He will always be remembered as one of the greatest heavyweight champion in the history of Taekwondo.We express our sincere and deepest condolences to his friends, family and students

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