Heo Mi-mi dedicates her Olympic medal to her grandfather's grave

Aug 05, 2024

HUMI who smiles brightly after arriving at Incheon International Airport on the 5th. Photo = Reporter Na Yuri

Shin Seong-mi (Gyeongbuk Sports Council) of Korean women's judo, who won silver and bronze medals on her first Olympic stage, visits her grandfather's grave as soon as she returns home.

The national judo team, which competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, returned home via Incheon International Airport on the 5th. The judo team did not have a gold medal at the Olympics, but returned after a meaningful harvest of two silver medals, two bronze medals and a team bronze. Many reporters, family members, acquaintances, and fans gathered at Incheon International Airport to celebrate the judo team's performance.

Heo Mi-mi, who returned to gold as a silver medalist in the women's 57kg judo class, also entered the country with a bright smile. Hur Mi-mi played against world No. 1 Krista Deguchi of Canada in the final, but unfortunately missed the gold medal as she lost the game with three maps.

However, I confirmed my firm hopes for the next Olympics. He also held the precious result of harvesting the bronze medal in the team event with his teammates of the national team. Born to a Korean father and a Japanese mother, Heo Mi-mi hopes to play for the Korean national team" naturalized to South Korea in 2021 following her grandmother's will. Heo Mi-mi, who was also a promising judo player in Japan, is currently attending the Sports Science Department of Waseda University, a prestigious university in Japan, and is a super woman who studies as a Korean judo national team and student.

Heo Mi-mi, who won a silver medal in the women's 57kg judo and a bronze medal in the mixed team event, is holding a medal after returning home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the 5th. Yonhap News

In the process of joining the Gyeongbuk Sports Council after naturalization, Heo Mi-mi found out that she was the fifth generation of independence activist Heo Seok. Heo Seok is an independence activist who was awarded the Order of National Foundation in 1991 after posting an anti-Japanese text during the Japanese colonial era.

Hur Mi-mi, who amplified expectations for an Olympic medal by winning the gold medal at the world championships in May ahead of the Paris Olympics, was able to win a confident silver medal on her first Olympic stage.

After entering the country, Humimi "It was a disappointing silver medal. Still, even when I reached the final, I remembered my late grandmother a lot. I really wanted to win a gold medal, but unfortunately I couldn't. But I'm so happy to play in the Olympics, and I'm so happy to get such a pretty medal, so I smile," he said with a bright smile. Heo Mi-mi, who could hardly speak Korean even at the time of naturalization, has now adapted quickly enough to conduct Korean interviews without difficulty.

Heo Mi-mi, who won a silver medal in the women's 57kg judo and a bronze medal in the mixed team event, is returning home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the 5th. Yonhap News

As soon as Heo Mi-mi returns home, she plans to visit Heo Seok's grave. The Olympic silver medal will be dedicated to Heo Seok's grave in Gunwi, North Gyeongsang Province on the 6th.

Heo Mi-mi said, "When I win a medal at the Olympics, I really wanted to show it to you. That's why I'm going."

Asked if he ever regretted naturalizing in Korea, he answered without hesitation, `Of course. I have no regrets at all, and I think I made a good choice.' In the meantime, Heo Mi-mi said, `I hope people will see judo and find it interesting in the future. I want to try to make judo popular and make more people cheer for it"I'm determined.

youll@sportschosun.com