Korea has been shut out of gold medals in judo at each of the past two Olympics. At the Tokyo Games three years ago, Korea finished with one silver and two bronze medals, its worst showing since 1976.
Vibes leading into this year’s Paris Olympics are much different, though, with Korea having produced two world champions last month — Kim Min-jong in the men’s +100 kilograms and Huh Mi-mi in the women’s -57 kilograms.
Coaches for the men’s and women’s teams, Hwang Hee-tae and Kim Mi-jung, respectively, said Thursday they are confident the gold medal drought can end in the French capital this summer.
“We didn’t win gold at the last two Olympics, and if we get shut out again this time, I think it will spell doom for judo in Korea,” Hwang told reporters 커뮤니티 during an opening training session at the Jincheon National Training Center in Jincheon, 85 kilometers southeast of Seoul. “We will try to lay the foundation for a new chapter in Korean judo.”
Hwang, the 2003 world champion, said the men’s team is pinning its medal hopes on Kim and Lee Joon-hwan, the bronze medalist in the -81kg at each of the past two world championships.
“For our athletes, stamina has to be at the basis of everything we want to do. Techniques can come later,” Hwang said. “If we can maintain that approach, I think we will do just as well at the Olympics as we did at the world championships.”
Hwang said both judokas bring strong qualities.
“Min-jong is really athletic and smart. He is shorter than most judokas in his weight class, but he can take advantage of his speed,” the coach said. “Joon-hwan is aggressive. He doesn’t back down, and he trusts his abilities.”