'Korea Judo's First Olympic Gold Medal' Ha Hyung-joo Selected as Korea's Sports Hero in 2024

Oct 30, 2024

'Korea Judo's First Olympic Gold Medal' Ha Hyung-joo Selected as Korea's Sports Hero in 2024
photo courtesy of the Korea Sports Council



'Korea Judo's First Olympic Gold Medal' Ha Hyung-joo Selected as Korea's Sports Hero in 2024
photo courtesy of the Korea Sports Council
'Korea Judo's First Olympic Gold Medal' Ha Hyung-joo Selected as Korea's Sports Hero in 2024
photo courtesy of the Korea Sports Council
'Korea Judo's First Olympic Gold Medal' Ha Hyung-joo Selected as Korea's Sports Hero in 2024
photo courtesy of the Korea Sports Council
Ha Hyung-joo (62), a gold medalist in judo at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, was selected as a Korean sports hero in 2024.

The Korea Sports Council held a sports hero selection committee on the 24th. After deliberating on three final candidates, Shim Kwon-ho (wrestling), Lee Hong-bok (cycle), and Ha Hyung-joo, Ha Hyung-joo was finally selected.

Ha Hyung-joo won the top of the men's 95kg or higher judo class at the 1984 LA Olympics, giving Korean judo its first Olympic gold medal ever. He has achieved good results in international competitions, including silver at the 1985 World Championships and gold at the 1986 Seoul Asian Games. The Korean Sports Association explained that it was highly appreciated for making good achievements in international competitions and making great contributions to the development of judo in Korea.



The 2024 South Korean sports hero induction ceremony will be held later, and a plaque of induction will be awarded to the selected sports hero on the same day.

Since 2011, the Korea Sports Association has selected athletes or sports contributors who have given joy and hope to the people through sports every year and have made outstanding achievements in the development of Korean sports as Korean sports heroes. Former South Korean sports heroes include the late Son Ki-jung (athletics) in 2011, the late Seo Yoon-bok (athletics) in 2013, the late public-private (sports administration) Jang Chang-sun (wrestling) in 2014, the late Kim Un-yong (sports administration) in 2015, Kim Yu-na (figure skating) in 2016, Cha Bum-keun (football) in 2017, the late Kim Il (professional wrestling) Kim Jin-ho (Archery), the late Cho Oh-ryeon (athletics) in 2020, the late Kim Hong-bin (sanak) in 2021, Lee Bong-in 2022.





epi17@sportschosun.com