Park Tae-Hwan is a South Korean swimmer born on September 27, 1989, in Ulsan, South Korea. He is best known for his achievements in freestyle swimming, particularly in the 400-meter and 200-meter events. Park gained international recognition after winning a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, making him the first South Korean swimmer to win an Olympic gold. Throughout his career, Park has set multiple national and Asian records, earning him the nickname "Marine Boy." He has also competed in several World Championships, where he has won numerous medals, solidifying his status as one of South Korea's most celebrated athletes in the sport of swimming.