Jang Bo-gyu Returns to the Track After Four-Year Battle with Leukaemia

Jang Bo-gyu, a leading figure in K-CYCLE, is set to make his long-awaited return to competition this week in the 12th race of the Gwangmyeong season, taking place from 21 to 23 March. After four years away from the sport due to a battle with leukaemia, Jang has vowed to approach every race with a fresh perspective, regardless of the outcome. Jang, a former non-player turned K-CYCLE legend and goodwill ambassador, has been listed as a prospective participant for the 11th Gwangmyeong Series (13-15 March). His return to SPEEDOM marks the end of an absence that began on 13 June 2021, when he abruptly resigned citing personal reasons. His departure left fans and colleagues yearning for his return, but it was not until 2024 that he finally re-emerged. 

Speculation surrounding his prolonged absence was confirmed when it was revealed that Jang had been diagnosed with leukaemia in November 2021. He first sought medical attention after experiencing deteriorating health and was met with a diagnosis that he initially struggled to accept. The news shocked many, given his reputation as a physically formidable athlete who had even completed a triathlon. Jang described the early stages of his illness as harrowing, filled with uncertainty about the intense treatment regimen ahead. Even for someone with his mental fortitude, the battle against leukaemia was gruelling, with each day posing a new challenge that tested the limits of his endurance.

A turning point came when he received a bone marrow transplant from his brother. The success of the procedure hinged on whether the transplanted cells would integrate successfully, and in 2023, Jang received confirmation that his body had fully accepted the transplant. With his health stabilising, his first instinct was to return to competitive cycling. However, his family strongly opposed the decision, given the significant toll the illness had taken on his body. Having lost over 30 kg during treatment, his physical strength was vastly diminished.

Undeterred, Jang committed to regaining his fitness. By mid-2023, he had returned to 80kg and resumed serious training under the guidance of former K-CYCLE athlete Park Min-soo. Despite suffering setbacks—including a series of injuries in 2013 and 2014 that caused recurring rib fractures—he steadily built up his strength, determined to make a full return.

On 13 March, Jang officially stepped back onto the velodrome at SPEEDOM as a reserve rider. Reflecting on his comeback, he expressed his joy at simply being able to train alongside fellow competitors once more. ‘I feel as though I never left. Sprinting on the track again feels so natural,’ he said. 

Jang, who began his career as the first judo department recruit at Yongin University before transitioning to cycling, has now spent nearly 30 years in the sport. His resilience and determination have inspired many, and his return is set to be one of the most anticipated moments of the season. ‘Just being back and breathing the same air as my fellow riders is a victory in itself,’ he said. ‘I hope to make my official comeback as soon as possible.’