'We can see the heaviest medal in 40 years'Kyudo 100kg or more Kim Min-jong advanced to the semifinals with a one-and-half victory march'
Aug 02, 2024
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Kim Min-jong won the quarterfinals of the men's 100kg or more judo at the 2024 Paris Olympics at the Chandmars Stadium in Paris on the 2nd (Korea time) by hurdling to Wu Xiangi Kauri (Azerbaijan). Kim Min-jong, who advanced to the semifinals, has approached the first men's heavyweight medal in 40 years since Cho Yong-chul, who won the bronze medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.
Kim Min-jong, who exchanged maps once, walked around the opponent with his left leg. The first decision was reversed in half after one round, but Kim Min-jong did not allow the turnaround for 27 seconds remaining.
Kim Min-jong passed the round of 32 earlier with a bye, followed by a round win over Ibrahim Tataroglu (Turkiye) in the round of 16. Kim Min-jong, who was calmly playing the game, won the half at 3:29 with a sleeve and a waist snatch. Kim Min-jong immediately entered the technique of breaking against his opponent who fell on the floor. In martial arts, he was surrendered by lying down and bending his arm called 'Amba'.
Kim Min-jong is the hope of Korean judo in this tournament. He is considered the leading candidate for gold medal as the world No. 1 and the Olympics No. 1. Kim won the gold medal at the World Championships in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in May. It was the first time in 39 years that a South Korean player won a gold medal in the world championship's highest weight class since Cho Yong-chul, the current chairman of the Korean Judo Association, in 1985.
Judo men's 100kg or more is called the exclusive property of Western players. The weight class has no weight limit, so it is advantageous for Western players with good physique and strength to perform well. Korean Judo has never won a gold medal in men's highest weight class in Olympic history. Japan, which swept nine gold medals in judo at the Tokyo Olympics, also failed to use its strength in the men's 100kg or higher class. I didn't even get a medal.
Kim Min-jong dreams of a pleasant rebellion in Paris. In the last Tokyo competition, he was eliminated from the round of 16 due to poor training due to COVID-19. Kim Min-jong, desperate, left for Paris and endured a hard and arduous training that made me wonder if the sky would be moved. I wonder if heaven will present something now." Kim Min-jong is determined to win Korea's first Olympic gold medal in judo in 12 years. I am approaching the dream step by step.
vanbasten@sportschosun.com
