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 achieve this feat. Throughout his career, Park has set multiple national and Asian records, earning him the nickname "Marine Boy." He has also competed in various international competitions, including the FINA World Championships and the Asian Games, where he has won numerous medals, solidifying his status as one of South Korea's top athletes.