"'Dramatic participation to the quarterfinals' and 'Yudo Han Joo-yeop, who is bowing down, 'Sorry for experiencing the Olympics that we have to prove'"
Aug 01, 2024
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Han Joo-yeop was defeated by Rafael Macedu of Brazil in the men's 90-kilogram judo competition held at the Champs-de-Mars Stadium in Paris on the 1st (Korea time). Han Joo-yeop was beaten by a leg turn at 1:44 of the start of the game and gave up half, and suffered a loss due to a missed draw with 38 seconds left in the game. Han Joo-yeop, who failed to advance to the bronze medal match, finished his first Olympic judo individual event.
It was a better-than-expected performance. Until early this year, it was difficult for Han to imagine competing in the Olympics. Han Joo-yeop, who was ranked 50th in the world, was far from qualified for the Olympics, which is given to the top 17 players. There was no giving up. He participated in nine competitions around the world for five months without recovering his knee, which he injured at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year. Desperate Han Ju-yeop won bronze medals in succession at the Tbilisi Grand Slam in March, the Asian Individual Championships in April and the Dushanbe Grand Slam in May.
The opportunity came dramatically. Although he did not make the top 17 in the Olympic rankings, he earned a continental berth that was given one ticket per country with the points he collected steadily. Han Joo-yup also had an opportunity as the women's 52kg class, Jeong Ye-rin, who was originally ranked first, won the right to participate through the Olympic ranking.
Han Joo-yup reached the quarterfinals by winning a match against Carmel Kone (Burkina Faso), ranking 82nd in the world, and a half-win against John Jane (USA), ranking 32nd in the round of 16. The quarterfinals match is world No. 1 Lasha Becauri of Georgia. Han Joo-yeop did well but failed to advance to the semifinals after losing a round of Andari Fugi. I dreamed of winning a bronze medal, but unfortunately, I couldn't achieve my goal.
Han Joo-yup said, `It's true that the Olympics are an honor just to go out, but it would have been nice if there was a medal there"Olympics are not places to experience, but places to prove, and I'm sorry that I experienced it at a place to prove it." However, his confidence has not been dampened. "I will continue to challenge myself until I win gold at the Los Angeles Olympics and then the Olympics," Han said. "I will use this as a springboard to go higher. I'll do my best to keep the national flag at the top."
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
