In the 24-year history of Korean powerboat racing, fans have always had iconic champions to cheer for. The hottest name in recent years is undoubtedly Jo Sung-in (12th generation, A1 class), a dominant force who has redefined the sport.
Debuting as a 12th-generation racer in 2013, Jo displayed remarkable promise from his rookie season. His first graduation race was unforgettable, starting from lane 2 and executing a series of calm, calculated moves and bold cuts to secure a stunning come-from-behind victory. That debut year was impressive; while most rookies struggle to win even a single race, Jo recorded 5 wins in 51 appearances, maintaining high board rates even from outside lanes with steady, reliable performances.
Jo’s greatest weapon is his start. His recent average start time of 0.16 seconds is world-class—an improvement from his rookie average of 0.26 seconds in 2013. In powerboat racing, the start is not just a statistic; it determines the entire flow of the race. Jo has built unbeatable competitiveness in this area, dictating races from the very beginning.
Jo began to truly shine in 2018, setting a personal best of 19 wins in a single season and reaching his first Grand Prix final. That year, in the Kurihara Cup final, he launched a blistering 0.11-second start and executed a textbook inside cut (a strategy where the inside boat takes the lead at the first turn and blocks all challengers), claiming his first major title. His trophy case expanded with a runner-up finish at the Kurihara Cup in 2021, another runner-up at the Grand Prix, a media company cup title in 2022, the King of Kings championship in 2023, and the Speed On Cup title in 2025. He has become a fixture in championship finals—earning the nickname “resident VIP of major events.”
Recent seasons have been extraordinary. Jo recorded 23 wins in 2021 and 44 in 2024, winning back-to-back Most Wins titles and cementing his supremacy. This season, through 18 race days, he is tied for the lead with 20 wins, boasting a win rate of 51.3%, a board rate of 64.1%, and a triple-board rate of 74.4%. If he maintains this pace, he could easily surpass 40 wins for the first time in his career.
Experts point to Jo’s biggest strength as being “a racer without weaknesses.” Beyond his starts, his race management, weight control, pit lane adjustments, and strategic adaptability are consistently solid.
“Jo Sung-in shows incredible start concentration and unwavering stability under any condition,” says Lee Seo-beom, a race analyst from the racing magazine *Gyeongjeong Korea*. “If he keeps this focus, he has the potential to remain a defining figure in powerboat racing for years to come.”
Author: Kim Woo-jung ([email protected])
