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Wang Ki-chun |
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
Beijing Olympic silver medalist Wang Ki-chun grabbed a gold medal at the International Judo Federation (IJF) Kano Cup in Tokyo, Japan, Saturday.
In the final match of the men's 73-kilogram event, Wang beat Yasuhiro Awano of Japan by Ippon.
The South Korean judoka threw all his rivals in the competition, other than Belgian Dirk Van Tichelt, whom he met in the opening match.
Despite the rib injury that he suffered in the quarterfinals of the Summer Games, he managed to compete in the contest and claimed the top spot for the second straight year.
``I will do my best every match to achieve my goal,'' Wang said in a media interview.
``Every match was very tough because all the players' ability is almost the same. I also played three Japanese competitors in five matches.
``By taking winter training well, I will show good performances in 2009,'' he said.
After taking a break until January, Wang will open next season by participating in a competition to be held in Europe in February, 2009, and gun for a title for the second straight time at the world championships in August in Budapest, Hungary.
yc@koreatimes.co.kr
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yistory@koreatimes.co.kr
