"'It's the best score in history'" Kim Min-jong who didn't smile "It's not a return of gold, it's a return of silver."

Aug 05, 2024

Kim Min-jong, a member of the judo national team, interviews reporters after returning home through Incheon International Airport on the 5th. Photo = Reporter Na Yuri

"It's not a return to gold, it's a return to silver."

Kim Min-jong (Yangpyeong County Office) is not satisfied, although he recorded the highest record in Korean men's judo history. Kim Min-jong completed the 2024 Paris Olympics on the 5th and returned home through Incheon International Airport with his teammates from the judo team. Kim Min-jong, who was expected to win the gold medal ahead of the Olympics as the world No. 1 in the men's 100kg class, made it to the final, but was defeated by French judo legend Teddy Liner for a waist down. The final result was silver.

This is also a great achievement. In Korean judo history, the only Olympic medals for men in weight class were bronze medals won by Cho Yong-chul, the current chairman of the Korean Judo Association, at the 1984 Los Angeles and 1988 Seoul Olympics. It is also a position where the Korean judo team struggled particularly due to differences in height and strength.

Kim Min-jong himself was more disappointed than anyone else even though he had the best performance in history. Even after the individual competition, "Gold medal is said to be lowered only when the sky is touched, but I don't think it has moved the sky yet."It is Kim Min-jong who blamed himself. Still, on the last day of the tournament's schedule, the judo team gathered together to win a bronze medal in the mixed team event (the first medal in the category), and Kim Min-jong's expression was determined immediately after returning home. He was determined to win the gold medal at the next 2028 LA Olympics.

100kg of judo men's '2024 Paris Olympics" at the Chandemars Arena in Paris, France on the 2nd (Korea time)?The match between Korean Kim Min-jong and French Teddy Liner was held. Kim Min-jong won a silver medal after losing to French Teddy Linere.After the game, French Teddy Liner is delighted. Paris (France) = Reporter Chung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.8.2/

100kg of judo men's '2024 Paris Olympics" at the Chandemars Arena in Paris, France on the 2nd (Korea time)?The match between Korean Kim Min-jong and French Teddy Liner was held. Kim Min-jong won a silver medal after losing to French Teddy Linere.South Korean Kim Min-jong poses with a silver medal around his neck. Paris (France) = Reporter Chung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.8.2/

Kim Min-jong, who met with reporters after entering the country, said 'Many welcome crowds gathered. When asked if it is a return of gold, "It seems that it is not a return of gold, but a return of silver. Regardless of the color of the medal, I'm so happy and happy to win the first bronze medal as a team. There are a lot of athletes who haven't won a medal in the individual competition, but if I don't play in the team competition, there will be too big a gap, so that alone has motivated me."

Kim Min-jong, who suffered a knee injury in the final, said "It hurt too much before the team event. I woke up in the morning and my knees wouldn't bend. I thought it wouldn't be easy, but I didn't feel any pain because dopamine came out as I played. Fortunately, I think I got a little cured after the game. I don't think it's a bad condition, so I'm glad"I want to rest for now." he said.

Kim Min-jong, who won a silver medal and a bronze medal in the mixed team event in the men's 100kg or higher class, is interviewing after returning home through Incheon International Airport Terminal 2 on the afternoon of the 5th. Yonhap News

During the competition, placards hung in Majang-dong, Seoul, were a hot topic. He is the second son who impressed Kim Min-jong's parents, who are proud members of the national judo team and run a meat restaurant in Majang-dong. Kim Min-jong said "After the final match, I was just disappointed by the defeat, but it hurt a lot to see my parents (in the audience). I kept saying sorry, so what's the point of being sorry, he told me that I did a good job. "Actually, my parents haven't even come yet. My parents are returning home later than I am. He will be back tomorrow."

Once you've had the full rest and knee treatment you've been wanting so much, now you've got to run back towards four years. Kim Min-jong, who couldn't win the gold medal even though he wore two medals around his neck, said, `I'll think about how to prepare for the LA competition in the future"I am determined.

youll@sportschosun.com

"'It's the best score in history'" Kim Min-jong who didn't smile "It's not a return of gold, it's a return of silver."

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