An Ba-ul

An played in his first international competition at the World Cadet Championships in Budapest, competing in the under 55 kg category. He was 16 years old. An lost in his first fight against Russia's Roman Buzuk.

An transitioned from cadet to junior level at the 2011 World Junior Championships in Cape Town. It was his first time competing in the extra-lightweight category. He won his first four fights to book a final against future senior World Champion Naohisa Takato. An lost and had to settle for the silver medal.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/photos/hans/2011/World_Junior_Championships_U20_Cape_Town/20111103_CapeTown_AN,%20Baul%20(KOR)%20-%20TAKATO,%20Naohisa%20(JPN)7.jpg|title=2011 WJC 60kg|publisher=Judoinside.com|access-date=11 March 2011}}

An fought in his first senior tournament as a junior at the World Cup in Jeju, which featured senior and eventual national teammate Kim Won-jin.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/event/8808/2012_IJF_World_Cup_Korea_Jeju|title=IJF World Cup Korea Jeju, Event, JudoInside|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=1 June 2016}} He lost in his first fight against Taiwan's Tsai Ming Yen by ippon.

An had a major breakthrough in his junior career at the World Junior Championships in Ljubljana. An won his first four fights, and met Azerbaijan's Oruj Valizade in the semi-final. It was a shido-filled match, with An gaining 3 shidos, and Valizade gaining 4, disqualifying the latter and sending An to the final.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/27057/Ba_Ul_AN_KOR_Oruj_VALIZADE_AZE_U60_World_Junior_Championships_U21_Ljubljana_2013|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-Ul AN (KOR) – Oruj VALIZADE (AZE) @ U60 – World Junior Championships U21 Ljubljana 2013|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=1 June 2016}}

An was against Uzbekistan's Diyorbek Urozboev in the final. It was another shido-filled fight, with each gaining 3. An sealed his win with a seoi nage for a waza-ari, becoming junior world champion.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/27055/Ba_Ul_AN_KOR_Diyorbek_UROZBOEV_UZB_U60_Final_World_Junior_Championships_U21_Ljubljana_2013|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-Ul AN (KOR) – Diyorbek UROZBOEV (UZB) @ U60 Final – World Junior Championships U21 Ljubljana 2013|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=1 June 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1016634/russia-on-top-after-opening-day-of-judo-world-junior-championships|title=Russia on top after opening day of Judo World Junior Championships|website=www.insidethegames.biz|access-date=1 June 2016}}

An participated in his third junior world championships in Fort Lauderdale, where he moved up a weight class to the half-lightweight category. He was anticipated to becoming the tournament winner as the defending champion, and looked to be on form, defeating Colombia's Andres Chapparo in his first fight by ippon with kata-gatame.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6I-s368q_8|title=KOR v COL WJC 2014|publisher=Judobase.org|access-date=1 January 2014}}

An then faced rising star and eventual tournament finalist Hifumi Abe in his second fight. An gained a shido with just a minute left, therefore sealing Abe's win and ending An's vie for a medal.{{Cite web|url=http://www.intjudo.eu/upload/2014_12/01/141739722931694592/_66kg.pdf|title=IJF WJC 2014 66kg|website=Intjudo.eu|publisher=International Judo Federation|access-date=1 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806113829/http://www.intjudo.eu/upload/2014_12/01/141739722931694592/_66kg.pdf|archive-date=6 August 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} An competed with Korea in the teams competition, where he won bronze. This would be his last junior tournament. He was quoted saying, "I was in good condition and fought better than I did in the individual event. ...I am excited and nervous about moving up to fight in the senior circuit."{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldjudoday.com/en/IJF-News-139-Junior-World-Championships-Fort-Lauderdale-2014-DAY-5-325.html|title=IJF WJC 2014 Day 5 News|website=Worldjudotoday.com|publisher=International Judo Federation|access-date=5 December 2014}}

{{Quote box|quote="I am excited and nervous about moving up to fight in the senior circuit." – An Ba-ul after winning the Teams title with Korea}}

An had a smooth start in his first official senior tournament at the Grand Prix in Jeju, where he defeated Mongolia's Batsuuri Adiya for ippon with an unorthodox osaekomi-waza.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=gp_kor2014_m_0066_0014|date=26 November 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=339&v=NVivqR35rTk|access-date=1 June 2016}} In his second fight against Spain's Sugoi Uriarte, he won by yuko with a seoi nage to kosoto gake combination.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=gp_kor2014_m_0066_0023|date=26 November 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEm2jt3vus0|access-date=1 June 2016}}

An met Russia's Anzaur Ardanov in the quarter-final, and scored first with a waza-ari using a kosoto gari to seoi nage combination. He scored again, this time a yuko, with a seoi nage to kouchi gari combination. Referees originally scored it waza-ari, effectively ending the fight, before it was retracted to a yuko. An finally sealed the fight with an awasete ippon by scoring waza-ari with a seoi nage.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/43096/BaUl_AN_KOR_Anzaur_ARDANOV_RUS_U66_Grand_Prix_Jeju_2014|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Anzaur ARDANOV (RUS) @ U66 – Grand Prix Jeju 2014|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=1 June 2016}}

An then went against Britain's Colin Oates in the semi-final. He scored a yuko with one of his favourite ashi waza, kouchi gari. He then scored a waza-ari with a drop seoi nage, winning the fight and sending him to the final.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/43095/Colin_OATES_GBR_BaUl_AN_KOR_U66_Grand_Prix_Jeju_2014|title=JudoInside – Video – Colin OATES (GBR) – Ba-ul AN (KOR) @ U66 – Grand Prix Jeju 2014|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=1 June 2016}}

In the final, An faced Japan's Sho Tateyama in a scoreless fight. Tateyama won the bout when An was awarded a shido, making the Korean settle for silver.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/43094/Sho_TATEYAMA_JPN_BaUl_AN_KOR_U66_Final_Grand_Prix_Jeju_2014|title=JudoInside – Video – Sho TATEYAMA (JPN) – Ba-ul AN (KOR) @ U66 Final – Grand Prix Jeju 2014|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=1 June 2016}}{{Citation|last=Judo Portal|title=Judo Grand Prix Jeju 2014 Final −66kg TATEYAMA Sho (JPN) vs. AN Baul (KOR)|date=10 March 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtrKINTCCD8|access-date=1 June 2016}}

An gained more experience in the IJF circuit in his first Grand Slam in Tokyo. He faced high-level opponents, including two world champions and a double world runners-up. An was set against Georgia's Beka Shavdatuashvili in Round 2. He scored an ippon with a drop sode tsurikomi goshi{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/43975/Beka_SHAVDATUASHVILI_GEO_BaUl_AN_KOR_U66_Grand_Slam_Tokyo_2014|title=JudoInside – Video – Beka SHAVDATUASHVILI (GEO) – Ba-ul AN (KOR) @ U66 – Grand Slam Tokyo 2014|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=1 June 2016}} in less than fifty seconds, making the fight his shortest win.

An then faced Russia's Alim Gadanov in a tight fight, winning narrowly by yuko with uchi mata.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/43973/Alim_GADANOV_RUS_BaUl_AN_KOR_U66_Grand_Slam_Tokyo_2014|title=JudoInside – Video – Alim GADANOV (RUS) – Ba-ul AN (KOR) @ U66 – Grand Slam Tokyo 2014|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=1 June 2016}} In the quarter-final, An met reigning World Champion Masashi Ebinuma. Ebinuma threw An for waza-ari with yoko guruma, and then pinned him with tate shiho gatame for awasete ippon, ending An's chances of gold.{{Citation|last=Judo Portal|title=Judo Grand Slam Tokyo 2014 -66kg EBINUMA Masashi (JPN) vs. AN Baul (KOR)|date=28 December 2014|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6baBzlzFJU|access-date=1 June 2016}} An was set in the repechage against another world champion and multiple medalist Georgii Zantaraia. An scored a waza-ari with a drop seoi nage, and then again scored a waza-ari with the same signature technique for ippon,{{Citation|last=Algérienne judo|title=an baul vs georgii zantaraia ( gand slam tokyo 2014)|date=1 August 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXunFyWiQy4|access-date=1 June 2016}} sending him through to the bronze medal contest.

In the bronze medal contest, he faced another tough opponent in two-time world silver medalist Mikhail Pulyaev. Pulyaev threw An for waza-ari with a drop tai otoshi, making An settle for fifth place.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/43971/BaUl_AN_KOR_Mikhail_PULYAEV_RUS_U66_Bronze_Grand_Slam_Tokyo_2014|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Mikhail PULYAEV (RUS) @ U66 Bronze – Grand Slam Tokyo 2014|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=1 June 2016}}

An narrowly won his first three fights at his second Grand Prix, beating his opponent in Round 1 by yuko, Round 2 by waza-ari and Round 3 by shido. In Round 2, An had a notable win against Israel's Golan Pollack, where he used uchi mata to throw Pollack for waza-ari.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=gp_ger2015_m_0066_0045|date=21 February 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgQ-0-aZXuY|access-date=1 June 2016}}

An then had a difficult match up against Japan's Kengo Takaichi, where he was thrown for waza-ari in the opening minute with yoko guruma, and then was nearly pinned with tate shiho gatame, similar to Ebinuma's score against him in Tokyo. The waza-ari was later elevated to ippon by referees,{{Citation|last=Judo|title=gp_ger2015_m_0066_0060|date=21 February 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7oYf4Ne0vg|access-date=1 June 2016}} sending An to a repechage against Slovenia's Adrian Gomboc. He won with a waza-ari using Korea's signature drop seoi nage with just three seconds on the clock.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=gp_ger2015_m_0066_0062|date=21 February 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGOAb8A4eqI|access-date=1 June 2016}}

In the bronze medal contest, An went against France's David Larose, and narrowly won by yuko, again with a drop seoi nage, winning An's second circuit medal.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=gp ger2015 m 0066 0066|date=26 February 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOvEamT7B6A|access-date=1 June 2016}}

An won his first senior tournament at the European Open in Warsaw, where he won two fights by ippon, and three fights by shido. He defeated Kazakhstan's Yeldos Zhumakanov in the final in golden score by shido.

An participated in his first continental tournament at the Asian Championships in Kuwait City, and came in ranked number 33. He faced Tajikistan's Umed Abdurakhimov in his first fight, and scored a yuko in the opening seconds with a drop seoi nage. A few attacks after, An transitioned to newaza and pinned Abdurakhimov with kata gatame, and then shifted to yoko shiho gatame for ippon, sealing his win.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=jua sen2015 m 0066 0019|date=9 July 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPlgwOYwO-A|access-date=3 June 2016}}

In the quarter-final, An faced a difficult opponent in Ma Duanbin in a shido-filled fight. The bout had a fair share of newaza, however remained scoreless until An's drop sode-tsurikomi-goshi that landed Ma on his side, earning the former a yuko. There were no scores after that, sending An to the semi-final.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=jua sen2015 m 0066 0026|date=9 July 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9Wsx4NlDlI|access-date=3 June 2016}} An then went against then-world number two Davaadorjiin Tömörkhüleg. It was a tight match, with no scores and two shidos each at the end of five minutes. A minute and a half into golden score, An scored ippon with a drop morote seoi nage to book a place in the final.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=jua sen2015 m 0066 0031|date=9 July 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxfaECzgZ_8|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An was set to fight against Japan's Tomofumi Takajo, who was ranked thirteen places above him. There was an array of seoi nage attacks from both An and Takajo, and the latter was the one to score with yuko, leaving An to settle for silver, his first continental medal.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=jua sen2015 m 0066 0035|date=9 July 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVkBngpj5Ss|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An represented Yongin University under Korea at the Universiade at home ground in Gwangju. He was coached by head coach Song Dae-nam for the tournament instead of the national extra and half-lightweight coach Choi Min-ho. He faced Taipei's Chien Chia-Hung in his first fight, and scored a waza-ari, however won by ippon, as Chien was awarded a fourth shido for hansoku make.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gwangju2015.kr/IRS/resGJ2015/pdf/GJ2015/JU/GJ2015_JU_C71_JUM066310.pdf|title=Universiade Judo Contest 14|website=gwangju2015.kr|publisher=2015 Summer Universiade|access-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623160544/http://www.gwangju2015.kr/IRS/resGJ2015/pdf/GJ2015/JU/GJ2015_JU_C71_JUM066310.pdf|archive-date=23 June 2016|url-status=dead}} He then fought against Japan's Sho Tateyama in the next round, and neither could score. An was through to the quarter-final as he had one shido less.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gwangju2015.kr/IRS/resGJ2015/pdf/GJ2015/JU/GJ2015_JU_C71_JUM066405.pdf|title=Universiade Judo Contest 25|website=gwangju2015.kr|publisher=2015 Summer Universiade|access-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623155302/http://www.gwangju2015.kr/IRS/resGJ2015/pdf/GJ2015/JU/GJ2015_JU_C71_JUM066405.pdf|archive-date=23 June 2016|url-status=dead}} An managed to throw Hungary's Zsolt Gorjanacz for waza-ari, and it was enough to send him to the semi-final.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gwangju2015.kr/IRS/resGJ2015/pdf/GJ2015/JU/GJ2015_JU_C71_JUM066503.pdf|title=Universiade Judo Contest 22|website=gwangju2015.kr|publisher=2015 Summer Universiade|access-date=6 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623161017/http://www.gwangju2015.kr/IRS/resGJ2015/pdf/GJ2015/JU/GJ2015_JU_C71_JUM066503.pdf|archive-date=23 June 2016|url-status=dead}} In the semi-final, An faced Kyrgyzstan's Bektur Ryzmambetov, and scored two waza-aris for awasete ippon closing into the final.{{Cite journal|date=6 July 2015|title=Universiade Judo Contest 51|journal=2015 Summer Universiade}}

An faced France's Alexandre Mariac in the gold medal contest, and scored a yuko in just 15 seconds with one of his signature skills drop sode-tsurikomi-goshi. With a minute and half left, An threw Mariac for ippon with another signature skill single lapel morote seoi nage to win the gold medal.{{Citation|last=돌팔이 4th|title=유도 안창림,안바울,김잔디,\다이빙 고은지,문나윤|date=12 July 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvlgKEHZgoA|access-date=3 June 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2015/07/06/0200000000AKR20150706189400007.HTML|title=-U대회-<유도> 안창림·안바울, 나란히 금빛 메치기(종합)|last=김 |first=태종|date=6 July 2015|website=Yonhap News Agency|language=ko-KR|access-date=3 June 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.etoday.co.kr/news/section/newsview.php?idxno=1157909|title=[광주U대회] 안창림ㆍ안바울 유도 금메달 획득|website=이투데이|date=6 July 2015 |access-date=3 June 2016}}

{{Blockquote|text="I am so happy, I really can't believe it. I have to thank my coach and all of the team who have helped me to achieve this. I can't describe how I feel."|sign=An Ba-ul|source=after winning the World title}}

After winning his first national title at the 2015 KJA National Championships,{{Citation|last=koreanolympic|title=[KOCTV]2015 회장기전국유도대회 겸 국가대표1차선발전|date=23 December 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtVHss3U3WA|access-date=3 June 2016}} An was chosen to compete for Korea in his first senior World Championships in Astana.{{Cite web|url=http://www.yonhapnews.co.kr/bulletin/2015/10/16/0200000000AKR20151016146400007.HTML|title=-전국체전-<유도> 세대교체 주역 안창림·안바울 나란히 금메달|last=안 |first=홍석|date=16 October 2015|website=Yonhap News Agency|language=ko-KR|access-date=3 June 2016}} He came in ranked number 20.

An fought against Cuba's Carlos Thondique in Round 1, and scored waza-ari with a drop sode-tsurikomi-goshi. He again scored waza-ari with a drop single sleeve morote seoi nage for awasete ippon with 30 seconds to spare.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/32200/BaUl_AN_KOR_Carlos_TONDIQUE_CUB_U66_World_Championships_Astana_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Carlos TONDIQUE (CUB) @ U66 – World Championships Astana 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} In the second round, An competed against Belarus' Dzmitry Shershan. It was a close fight, with much of the action based on newaza. However, neither of them were able to pin or use successful submission techniques. An managed to score a yuko with a drop seoi nage effort to send him through to the next round. He attempted to use shime waza on Shershan in the dying seconds for ippon, but ran out of time.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/32204/Dzmitry_SHERSHAN_BLR_BaUl_AN_KOR_U66_World_Championships_Astana_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Dzmitry SHERSHAN (BLR) – Ba-ul AN (KOR) @ U66 – World Championships Astana 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

In Round 3, An battled an experienced opponent in Kamal Khan-Magomedov. Khan-Magomedov was penalised thrice by the fourth minute, and had a glimmer of a score when he moved play to newaza and attempted an okuri eri jime before it was stopped by the referee as An escaped. An's dominance with the seoi nage shown again as he scored a waza-ari with the skill, and was enough to send him to the quarter-final. The stellar performance against the more established Russian earned him two thumbs up from coach Choi.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/32207/BaUl_AN_KOR_Kamal_KHAN_MAGOMEDOV_RUS_U66_World_Championships_Astana_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Kamal KHAN-MAGOMEDOV (RUS) @ U66 – World Championships Astana 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An was set against Uzbekistan's Rishod Sobirov in the quarter-final and again used reverse seoi nage to score a waza-ari.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/32209/BaUl_AN_KOR_Rishod_SOBIROV_UZB_U66_World_Championships_Astana_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Rishod SOBIROV (UZB) @ U66 – World Championships Astana 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} It was a close shido-filled fight, but An pulled through to enter the semi-final. An faced past opponent Pollack, and it was an even closer fight with no scores. An had initially scored a yuko with an ippon seoi nage, but was retracted by the referees.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/32210/Golan_POLLACK_ISR_BaUl_AN_KOR_U66_World_Championships_Astana_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Golan POLLACK (ISR) – Ba-ul AN (KOR) @ U66 – World Championships Astana 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} Despite earning a shido with one second left, it was still two less than Pollack, making him Korea's first finalist of the tournament. It was his fourth time winning against Pollack.

In the final, An faced Pulyaev, also a past opponent. It was the final with the most shidos, and the only one to end with a disqualification. An and Pulyaev were both level with 3 shidos each by the end of five minutes, and it went on to a minute of golden score until Pulyaev was penalised for being passive.{{Citation|last=World of judo|title=Baul An vs Mikhail Pulyaev World Judo Championships 2015 – Astana|date=25 August 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVLXA-dIkvI|access-date=3 June 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.euronews.com/2015/08/25/misato-nakamura-has-won-gold/|title=Triumphant day for Japan and South Korea at Judo World Championships|website=euronews|date=25 August 2015 |access-date=3 June 2016}} An became one of the two world champions for Korea at the championships, the other being middleweight Gwak Dong-han. An said after claiming the World title, "I am so happy, I really can't believe it. I have to thank my coach and all of the team who have helped me to achieve this. I can't describe how I feel."{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/news/730/Korean_An_Ba_Ul_surprises_elite_taking_the_world_title|title=JudoInside – News – Korean An Ba-Ul surprises elite taking the world title|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An also represented Korea in the team competition as the under 66 kg fighter. Korea battled against France in the third round, and An won against Larose, contributing to Korea's 5–0 win. In the quarter-final against Russia, An defeated Galstyan and Korea won 4–1, only losing in the half-middleweight bout. Korea was up against Georgia in the semi-final, and An beat long time rival Tomorkhuleg to set the tone for Korea. Korea won 4–1 again, with world champion Gwak supposedly losing on purpose to save energy for the final.{{Citation|last=GoGo News Agency|title=Astana 2015 Team Judo World Championships MEN Semi-Final|date=30 August 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRrKAH1HSVI|access-date=3 June 2016}}

Korea had a much anticipated all-Asian final against defending champions Japan. The final featured reigning and former world champions across five weight divisions, namely An and Gwak for Korea, and Ebinuma, Riki Nakaya, Takanori Nagase and Ryunosuke Haga for Japan. An versus Ebinuma in the opening fight, and surprisingly lost by shido, alarming the Koreans. An Chang-rim managed to get the Koreans back by defeating Nakaya with a drop seoi nage effort, initially scoring waza-ari, then re-scored to ippon. Korea eventually lost 3–2, earning An Ba-ul a silver, and his second medal of the tournament.{{Citation|last=World of judo|title=Japan vs South Korea World Judo Team Championships 2015 – Astana|date=31 August 2015|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0kuHKCDtY9g|access-date=3 June 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/event/9435/2015_World_Team_Championships_Astana/judo-matches|title=World Team Championships Astana, Event, JudoInside|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/news/761/Japanese_men_defeat_Korean_by_3_2_in_world_team_final|title=JudoInside – News – Japanese men defeat Korean by 3–2 in world team final|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An cemented his position as World Champion at his Grand Slam debut in Abu Dhabi. He fought Brazil's Gabriel Pinheiro in his first bout and the Brazilian was able to hold him off for more than half the fight. However, An brought the fight to the ground and secured a pin using kata gatame to koshi jime, earning a submission for ippon.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/35816/BaUl_AN_KOR_Gabriel_PINHEIRO_BRA_U66_Grand_Slam_Abu_Dhabi_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Gabriel PINHEIRO (BRA) @ U66 – Grand Slam Abu Dhabi 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} In his second fight he went against Kazakhstan's Zhansay Smagulov. Smagulov attempted a drop seoi nage but got countered by An for waza-ari. An then used his signature drop morote seoi nage to score another waza-ari for awasete ippon.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/35828/BaUl_AN_KOR_Zhansay_SMAGULOV_KAZ_U66_Grand_Slam_Abu_Dhabi_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Zhansay SMAGULOV (KAZ) @ U66 – Grand Slam Abu Dhabi 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An then faced rival Khan-Magomedov in the quarter-final and again defeated the Russian, this time with seoi otoshi.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/35834/BaUl_AN_KOR_Kamal_KHAN_MAGOMEDOV_RUS_U66_Grand_Slam_Abu_Dhabi_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Kamal KHAN-MAGOMEDOV (RUS) @ U66 – Grand Slam Abu Dhabi 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} An's next fight was more difficult, against Germany's Sebastian Seidl. An's attacks were unable to penetrate Seidl's defense, therefore the match remained scoreless.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/35839/BaUl_AN_KOR_Sebastian_SEIDL_GER_U66_Grand_Slam_Abu_Dhabi_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Sebastian SEIDL (GER) @ U66 – Grand Slam Abu Dhabi 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} With one shido less An was through to the final against rival and Olympic champion Galystan. The final was another close fight with both fighters unable to gain any scores. An was less defensive with two shidos less{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/35842/Arsen_GALSTYAN_RUS_BaUl_AN_KOR_U66_Final_Grand_Slam_Abu_Dhabi_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Arsen GALSTYAN (RUS) – Ba-ul AN (KOR) @ U66 Final – Grand Slam Abu Dhabi 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} and won his first Grand Slam to complete a hat trick.

{{Quote frame|"I'm obviously one of the best-ranked judokas in the world... people are expecting a lot of me. I wouldn't say that I'm not feeling the pressure." – An Ba-ul, on his top Olympic seeding}}

An competed in his second Grand Slam in Tokyo and again faced Galystan in his first fight. He defeated the Russian by ippon this time, using a drop seoi nage for waza-ari, and then a tate-shiho-gatame for another waza-ari in the final minute.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/40884/BaUl_AN_KOR_Arsen_GALSTYAN_RUS_U66_Grand_Slam_Tokyo_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Arsen GALSTYAN (RUS) @ U66 – Grand Slam Tokyo 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} He surprisingly struggled in his second fight against another of his former opponents, local Tateyama. It was a close fight with only a shido between them. An lost, ending his tournament and continuing his medal-less streak in Tokyo.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/40894/BaUl_AN_KOR_Sho_TATEYAMA_JPN_U66_Grand_Slam_Tokyo_2015|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Sho TATEYAMA (JPN) @ U66 – Grand Slam Tokyo 2015|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An's first tournament of the year was at his first Paris Grand Slam. He contested against Kazhakstan's Gabit Yessimbetov in the Round of 16, with both of them earning shidos for refusing to take a grip in the opening minute. An then attempted a sumi otoshi that was scored as ippon, however was retracted by referees. An then scored a waza-ari with four seconds to spare with ippon seoi nage to send him through to the next round.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/39496/BaUl_AN_KOR_Gabit_YESSIMBETOV_UZB_U66_Grand_Slam_Paris_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Gabit YESSIMBETOV (UZB) @ U66 – Grand Slam Paris 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An then faced Portugal's Sergiu Oleinic, and again was unable to score ippon. An scored a yuko with a seoi nage effort, and then pinning with yoko-shiho-gatame in the closing minute to score a second yuko, winning the bout.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/39507/BaUl_AN_KOR_Sergiu_OLEINIC_POR_U66_Grand_Slam_Paris_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Sergiu OLEINIC (POR) @ U66 – Grand Slam Paris 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} His next fight would end his vie for gold, against long-time rival Ebinuma. He lost to Ebinuma{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/news/1109/Legend_Masashi_Ebinuma_claims_first_medal_in_Paris_since_2011|title=JudoInside – News – Legend Masashi Ebinuma claims first medal in Paris since 2011|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} for the third time, the second time by ippon, as Ebinuma threw him with uchi mata.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/39513/BaUl_AN_KOR_Masashi_EBINUMA_JPN_U66_Grand_Slam_Paris_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Masashi EBINUMA (JPN) @ U66 – Grand Slam Paris 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} An fought for a place in the bronze medal match against Italy's Fabio Basile in the repechage. It was a close fight, with only a shido separating them, handing the win to An.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/39516/BaUl_AN_KOR_Fabio_BASILE_ITA_U66_Grand_Slam_Paris_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Fabio BASILE (ITA) @ U66 – Grand Slam Paris 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} An regained form in the final, defeating Slovenia's Andraz Jereb by ippon with a rare uchi-mata-sukashi, earning him a bronze medal.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/39516/BaUl_AN_KOR_Fabio_BASILE_ITA_U66_Grand_Slam_Paris_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Fabio BASILE (ITA) @ U66 – Grand Slam Paris 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} This was one of Korea's seven medals in Paris.

An entered his second Düsseldorf Grand Prix, traveling to the tournament with a top class Korean team.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/news/1134/Korean_rulers_want_gold_at_Grand_Prix_Dusseldorf|title=JudoInside – News – Korean rulers want gold at Grand Prix Düsseldorf|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} He faced Uriarte in the first round, and again couldn't attack successfully as the bout remained scoreless. An narrowly won by a shido,{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/40321/BaUl_AN_KOR_Sugoi_URIARTE_ESP_U66_Grand_Prix_Dusseldorf_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Sugoi URIARTE (ESP) @ U66 – Grand Prix Düsseldorf 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} but soon regained form as he blazed through his following fights. He went against Israel's Baruch Shmailov, and took the lead with a yuko using his signature skill seoi nage. He ended the bout with an ippon using kouchi gari,{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/40337/BaUl_AN_KOR_Baruch_SHMAILOV_ISR_U66_Grand_Prix_Dusseldorf_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Baruch SHMAILOV (ISR) @ U66 – Grand Prix Düsseldorf 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} sending him to the quarter-final.

An again faced former opponent, local Seidl in the semi-final. Although unable to score ippon, An still dominated the fight, scoring a yuko with a single sleeve grip seoi nage. He brought the bout to newaza, pinning Seidl in yoko-shiho-gatame for yuko before the latter trapped his leg. An eventually freed his leg before pinning again with yoko-shiho gatame for waza-ari prior to Seidl's escape. These scores for An were enough to send him to the final.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/40351/BaUl_AN_KOR_Sebastian_SEIDL_GER_U66_Grand_Prix_Dusseldorf_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Sebastian SEIDL (GER) @ U66 – Grand Prix Düsseldorf 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

In the final, An faced rival Pollack in the fight for gold. An scored waza-ari with his signature drop seoi nage in the first 30 seconds and was enough to win the tournament.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/40355/BaUl_AN_KOR_Golan_POLLACK_ISR_U66_Final_Grand_Prix_Dusseldorf_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Golan POLLACK (ISR) @ U66 Final – Grand Prix Düsseldorf 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} It was once again a good result for the Korea team, as An's gold was one of the five medals won by his national team. An ranked number one in the world with his win, one of the four Koreans to do so.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/news/1155/An_becomes_the_fourth_Korean_World_Ranking_Leader|title=JudoInside – News – An becomes the fourth Korean World Ranking Leader|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An won his second national title and successfully qualified for the 2016 Olympics as Korea's half-lightweight representative.{{Cite web|url=http://imnews.imbc.com/replay/2016/nwdesk/article/3967044_19842.html|title=유도 대표팀, 선수권대회 화끈한 '한판승' 퍼레이드|last=민 |first=준현|website=MBC News|date=10 May 2016 |language=ko-KR|access-date=3 June 2016}} He successfully qualified as the number one ranked half-lightweight fighter in both the world and Olympic qualification rankings,{{Cite news|url=http://www.judoinside.com/news/1393/Korean_An_Baul_favourite_for_Olympic_title|title=JudoInside – News – Korean An Baul favourite for Olympic title|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} and as the national tournament winner. He defeated his opponent in the final with sankaku jime for ippon.{{Citation|last=YTN NEWS|title=유도 경량급 삼총사, 이제는 일본이다! / YTN|date=10 May 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ9EMz8OWMY|access-date=3 June 2016}}{{Citation|last=SportsNews Korea|title=[2016년5월11일] 60fps 유도국가대표 올림픽 최종 선발전 주요경기 새벽 하이라이트 편집 방송|date=22 May 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UocH4d0usRc|access-date=3 June 2016}}{{Citation|last=스필노트 Spilot|title=2016 리우올림픽 유도 대표팀 선발 김원진 안바울 안창림 하이라이트|date=17 May 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHthyXjVRoE|access-date=3 June 2016}} Tipped to be the one to beat for gold at Rio, An has said, "I'm obviously one of the best-ranked judokas in the world... people are expecting a lot of me. I wouldn't say that I'm not feeling the pressure, but I do feel very proud to be part of the national team."{{Cite web|url=https://www.olympic.org/news/korea-s-world-beating-judokas-face-a-tough-challenge-in-rio|title=Korea's world-beating judokas face a tough challenge in Rio – Olympic News|date=3 June 2016|website=International Olympic Committee|access-date=3 June 2016}}

At An's first invitation to the World Masters in Guadalajara, he was seeded number one.{{Cite web|url=http://www.gnnews.org/news/articleView.html?idxno=2588|title=남양주시청 안바울 2016 I.J.F. 마스터즈대회 금메달 – 구리남양주뉴스|website=www.gnnews.org|date=30 May 2016|access-date=3 June 2016}} He faced Algeria's Houd Zourdani in his first fight, and won by ippon as Zourdani was disqualified for earning four shidos for passivity.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/46659/BaUl_AN_KOR_Houd_ZOURDANI_ALG_U66_IJF_World_Masters_Guadalajara_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Houd ZOURDANI (ALG) @ U66 – IJF World Masters Guadalajara 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} He again fought Pollack in the quarter-final, but showed his superiority when he landed the latter on his back for ippon with his strong seoi nage in less than 20 seconds.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/46667/BaUl_AN_KOR_Golan_POLLACK_ISR_U66_IJF_World_Masters_Guadalajara_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Golan POLLACK (ISR) @ U66 – IJF World Masters Guadalajara 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}}

An battled another rival in Oleinic in the semi-final, and this time could not throw for ippon. He threw Oleinic with a drop morote seoi nage for yuko, and the no other throws were scored, sending him to the final.{{Cite web|url=http://www.judoinside.com/judovideo/46673/BaUl_AN_KOR_Sergiu_OLEINIC_POR_U66_IJF_World_Masters_Guadalajara_2016|title=JudoInside – Video – Ba-ul AN (KOR) – Sergiu OLEINIC (POR) @ U66 – IJF World Masters Guadalajara 2016|website=www.judoinside.com|access-date=3 June 2016}} In the final he met rising star Tomorkhuleg for an anticipated match up, with the absence of Ebinuma. However, Tomorkhuleg had withdrawn due to injury, effectively giving the win to An via fusen gachi.{{Citation|last=Judo|title=masters2016 m 0066 0035|date=27 May 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOvwwjaJbao|access-date=3 June 2016}}

{{Blockquote|text=I was on cloud nine... but I couldn't compose myself. I headed into the gold medal match in that state of mind. I failed to get a hold of myself and I think that's why I lost.|sign=|source=An on his emotions winning against long time rival Ebinuma, and then losing in the final to Italy's Basile}}{{Quote box

| quote = "There's the sense of pressure that comes with competing in the games. But after strenuous training... I could win over anyone and everyone." – An on coming in as top seed and his preparations for the Olympics

}}{{Quote box

| quote = "I'm sure I can win gold at the Olympics in four years' time. I'll be training very hard to do just that. " An on his resolution and looking towards Tokyo 2020

}}

{{Citation|last=ARIRANG NEWS|title=Meet Korea's Olympic Champions: Rio Silver Medalist Judoka AN Baul|date=26 August 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDJrMRl-_J8|access-date=27 August 2016}}

An came into the Olympic Games ranked first and was largely expected to take the gold in Rio. He was hailed by Korean media as one of the two predicted golds from judo at the Rio. In Round 2 he faced Kazakhstan's Zhansay Smagulov. He won by waza-ari through seoi nage, and sealed the win awasete ippon with a juji-gatame. He continued his ippon streak in the third round with another waza-ari with seoi nage, and then landed his opponent from France, Kilian LeBlouch, with sode-tsurikomi-goshi flat on his back.

An faced a challenge in Rishod Sobirov in the quarter-final. Both of them were penalised with shido for defensive posture in the beginning of the bout, and An sealed his place in the semi-finals with a seoi nage for waza-ari. His fight against long-time rival Masashi Ebinuma of Japan was reminiscent of the Japanese bout at the 2012 Olympics against An's countryman and coaching staff Cho Jun-ho.

After being deadlocked with a shido each in regular time, the bout went into golden score. It was vital for both An and Ebinuma to win as neither Japan nor Korea has had a gold medal after two days of competition. An attacked first with a reverse seoi nage on a single sleeve grip but failed to score. Ebinuma would then attempt a drop double sleeve seoi nage, again to no score. Ebinuma again attacked with a drop ippon seoi nage, only to get countered by An with tani otoshi for yuko, effectively ending the bout with a win to An.{{Citation|last=윤 |first=태랑|title="놔라" 안바울 일본을 꺽고 결승진출함|date=7 August 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zV5AEFUcd3c|access-date=9 February 2017}} An then celebrated with Ebinuma clinging to him, becoming a parody among the Korean judo community.

An faced lesser known Fabio Basile in the final. Basile had been playing ippon judo throughout the tournament, but was considered a surprise finalist. However, An and Basile had contested in the past, notably at the 2016 Paris Grand Slam.{{Citation|last=JUDO SENIOR|title=Judo Grand-Slam Paris 2016 (66kg RC 62) AN, Baul (KOR) – BASILE, Fabio (ITA)|date=10 February 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHx_FKiDO4s|access-date=9 February 2017}} In just over a minute, Basile had scored ippon against An with the latter's signature skill, seoi nage. This would result in Korea's second medal in judo after Jeong Bo-kyeong's silver in the extra-lightweights. There would then be numerous media coverage about Basile causing one of the biggest upsets in Olympic judo as An was the world champion, world number one and heavy favourite to win the title.{{Citation|last=Olympic|title=Italy's Basile upsets Number One Title Holder in Men's Judo 66kg|date=21 August 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDTw630qo9s|access-date=9 February 2017}}{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/sports/rio-2016-olympics/italy-fabio-basile-stuns-top-seed-an-baul-to-take-gold-day-2-judo-2960671/|title=Italy's Fabio Basile stuns top seed An Baul to take gold|date=8 August 2016|newspaper=The Indian Express|access-date=9 February 2017|language=en}}

An returned to competition at the Grand Slam in Tokyo. Basile was also competing at the IJF's top circuit tournament continuing their budding rivalry. After winning by awasete ippon with two seoi nages, An lost in the quarter-final against Japan's Yuuki Hashiguchi when he was disqualified for hansoku make because of a waki gatame, in which An attempted a dangerous ippon seoi nage with an incorrect grip. Despite qualifying for the repechage, An did not compete therefore handing his opponent the win with fusen gachi. The rematch with Basile did not occur as neither fighters made the finals.

{{BLP sources|date=June 2016}}

An is known for his tactical and methodical style of judo, that has evolved since his junior career. An is right-handed but has a left-sided grip. He is also noted for his seoi nage, being trained by technician and World and Olympic champion Choi Min-ho. His most often used variation is the drop morote seoi nage. An has been praised for his versatility on nage to ashi waza combinations, as well as efficient newaza. Some of his most commonly used combinations include seoi nage to kosoto gake and kosoto gari to seoi nage.

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:{{gold1}} Grand Slam, Paris

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(as of 30 May 2016)

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Category:1994 births

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