Lee Jun-hwan, who was defeated by his enemy, sobbed after beating the world's No. 1 player and confirming the bronze medal

Jul 31, 2024

The men's judo -81kg at the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Chandras Arena in Paris, France, on the 30th (Korea time) and the bronze medal match between Korean Lee Joon-hwan and Belgian Matthias Kase. Lee Joon-hwan scored in extra time and won the bronze medal. Lee Joon-hwan sheds tears of emotion. Paris (France) = Reporter Chung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.7.30/

Lee Joon-hwan (Yongin University) won an emotional bronze medal in Korean judo.

Lee Joon-hwan won the bronze medal in tears by beating world No. 1 Mathias Kas of Belgium in half in the men's 81-kg judo bronze medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at the Chandmars Arena in Paris on the 31st (Korea time).

Lee Joon-hwan, a silver medalist at the Hangzhou Asian Games, raised expectations for entering the medal table as the world's third in the weight class ahead of the event. From the first round, he won half-win, one round-one round-one round, showing his temperament as an adventurer without regret. Lee Joon-hwan, who won half of the 32nd round, advanced to the semifinals with back-to-back wins in the round of 16 and quarterfinals. The team has one last win left until the final. However, the semifinal match was not easy.

The men's judo -81kg at the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Chandras Arena in Paris, France, on the 30th (Korea time) and the bronze medal match between Korean Lee Joon-hwan and Belgian Matthias Kase. Lee Joon-hwan scored in extra time and is winning the bronze medal. Paris (France) = Reporter Chung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.7.30/

Lee Joon-hwan, ranked third in the world, met Tato Grigalashvili (Georgia), the world's No. 2 and enemy, and the game did not take place within four minutes of regular time. The game went to extra time, and there was a tight race for more than four minutes in extra time. Gri-Galashvili did not move first, and Lee Jun-hwan actively played throughout the game. Four minutes of extra time when Gri-Galashvili decided he was running out of stamina. Lee Jun-hwan attempted a leg-walking attack, but Gri-Galashvili, who was aiming just for a single shot, turned Lee Jun-hwan back with a hit. Lee Joon-hwan, who lasted 8 minutes and 7 seconds, including regular time, failed to advance to the finals as he lost half in vain.

The semifinal match between Korean Lee Joon-hwan and Georgia Grigalashvili at the 2024 Paris Olympics, held at the Chandmars Arena in Paris, France on the 30th (Korea time). Lee Joon-hwan allowed an attack in extra time, losing and failing to advance to the finals. Paris (France) = Reporter Chung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.7.30/

He made it to the bronze medal match, which had no choice but to discourage his motivation. However, Lee Jun-hwan showed his concentration until the end. He suffered a setback in the world ranking second, and in the bronze medal match, Kas, who is considered the world's No. 1 in the weight class and the strongest player with the strongest power, was waiting. But the opponent is also physically in a difficult situation. Lee Joon-hwan won the bronze medal again by winning half of the back-and-forth after the game that went all the way to extra time.

After confirming his victory, Lee Joon-hwan couldn't leave the mat for a while and buried his face in his robe sleeve and sobbed. With this, South Korea's judo team won its second medal at the Olympics after the silver medal of the women's 57kg class Hur Mi-mi.

youll@sportschosun.com

Lee Jun-hwan, who was defeated by his enemy, sobbed after beating the world's No. 1 player and confirming the bronze medal

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