Japan-born S. Korean judoka dedicates hard-fought silver to late grandmother
Huh Mimi of South Korea cradles her silver medal won in the women's -57-kilogram judo event at the Paris Olympics at Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris, July 29. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Perhaps the most important person in Huh Mimi's judo career is no longer with her.
Huh was born in Japan to a Korean father and a Japanese mother. As a junior, she was competing with the Japanese flag on her chest.
But it all changed in 2021. Her grandmother, to whom Huh was particularly close, had one final wish before she passed away. She wanted her granddaughter to switch allegiance and start competing for South Korea, the country of her birth.
Huh did just that. She made the South Korean national team in 2022 and won her first world title in May this year. That quickly turned Huh into a medal threat, someone who could win South Korea's first Olympic gold in women's judo in 28 years.
Huh came up just short on Monday in Paris, though, as she lost to Christa Deguchi of Canada in the final of the women's -57-kilogram event at Champ-de-Mars Arena.
"I really wanted to win a gold medal here, and so I am a bit disappointed," Huh said. "But it's been my dream to compete in an Olympic Games. I am happy that I was able to grab a medal."
She said she thought a lot about her grandmother after the competition ended.
"I would tell her that I've worked so hard to get this far and that I will continue to work hard," Huh said with a smile. "I am really glad I decided to put the Korean flag on my chest."
In the final, Huh picked up her third "shido," or a warning, for false attack during the extra period, resulting in an anti-climactic win for Deguchi.
Huh was the far more aggressive one in the extra session, with Deguchi visibly running on fumes. Huh could have been forgiven for feeling she got unfairly penalized for trying to put on a move, but she said she accepted the call.
"It's part of judo. There's nothing I can do about it," she said. "I have to be better prepared the next time."
Still just 21 years old with a whole career ahead of her, the judoka said she will only get better from here.
"I will be four years older and probably stronger," she said of the 2028 Olympics. "I feel like I can win a gold medal at the next Olympics." (Yonhap)