Huh Mi-mi (24, Gyeongbuk Sports Council), a leading figure in South Korean women's judo, won a gold medal at her first Asian Games. She made history by becoming the first South Korean to claim the top spot in the women's 57kg category at the Asian Games.
Huh defeated Mongolia's Terbish Ariunjaya by effective victory in the final of the women's 57kg judo event held on October 1 at the Aichi-Nagoya International Arena in Japan. This victory marks the first gold medal for South Korean judo at this tournament.
From the start of the match, Huh took control. She scored an effective point shortly after the match began with a backward throw. Although her opponent attempted to counterattack, Huh remained composed, effectively blocking the attacks while looking for additional points with techniques like the shoulder throw, maintaining her lead throughout the match.
With this victory, Huh has fulfilled a long-standing goal for South Korean women's judo. The country had never won a gold medal in the women's 57kg category at the Asian Games, with Kim Ji-mi and Kim Jan-di securing silver medals in the 2010 Guangzhou and 2014 Incheon Games, respectively. Huh is the first to stand atop the podium in this category.
Huh dominated her earlier matches, defeating the Philippines' Jomari Hart Rafael in just 28 seconds in the round of 16 and overcoming China's Tao Yuying in the quarterfinals in 1 minute and 30 seconds. She also triumphed over Uzbekistan's Shukurjon Aminova in the semifinals to reach the final.
Huh, who won a silver medal in the women's 57kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has established herself as a key figure in South Korean women's judo. After undergoing ligament surgery on her left shoulder in March of last year, she underwent extensive rehabilitation but returned to the international stage with renewed competitiveness.
This gold medal is particularly special for Huh, who was born to a Korean father and a Japanese mother and is of Zainichi Korean descent. She chose to represent South Korea in accordance with her grandmother's wish to see her compete as a South Korean athlete. Huh has also gained attention as a fifth-generation descendant of independence activist Heo Seok.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.