Mixed martial arts fighter Choi Hong-man revealed why he halted his broadcasting activities for four years.
On the 5th, the official YouTube channel of tvN's variety show You Quiz on the Block released a pre-release video titled "A full reveal of why the returning 'Techno Goliath' Choi Hong-man disappeared for a while and even his recent flirty update."
Host Yoo Jae-seok said, "Fighter Choi Hong-man was a truly famous 'Cheonhajangsa' in Korea," adding, "He quit his ssireum career after two years, switched to a K-1 fighter, and won his K-1 debut match in three months. His annual salary at the time was 2 billion won." Yoo Jae-seok asked why, saying, "In 2008, when he was at the peak of his career, he suddenly stopped appearing (on broadcasts)."
In response, Choi Hong-man said, "A small tumor was found in my brain during a health checkup," and added, "At the time, I fought Badr Hari, and because there was no decision even by the third round, I gave up the extra round midway. It was a decision made out of concern for a potential risk, but criticism arose, asking, 'Why didn't you go to the end?' As that happened, the hurt from people began to pile up."
He said, "My mother was also diagnosed with breast cancer. It had metastasized, and she was in critical condition," adding with teary eyes, "(My mother) was everything in my life. She was on my side all my life." Choi Hong-man's mother passed away in Dec. 2017 after battling cancer.
Choi Hong-man debuted as a ssireum wrestler in 2002, sweeping the sport by winning Cheonhajangsa once and Baekdujangsa three times. Switching to a combat sports fighter in 2004, he showcased his skills in various events and sparked a combat sports boom in Korea.
He returned after brain tumor surgery in 2008 but never fully regained his previous form. In the end, he left the ring after his 2019 match. Outside his main career, he appeared on variety shows, showing off his dance moves with his towering 217 centimeters, and earned the nickname "Techno Goliath."