Korea's Huh Mimi has set her sights on gold at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, saying she wants to take the medal to the grave of her grandfather, the independence activist Huh Seok.
Speaking to SBS News during training on 9 September, Huh said her left shoulder — operated on two years ago — has improved markedly. "The shoulder has got a lot better and it isn't painful now, so I have no worries," she said.
The Games carry extra meaning for Huh, who was born and raised in Japan and naturalised as Korean five years ago. "Because I'm competing in Japan, there are things I can show a bit better, and my family is close by, so I feel stronger," she said.
Video: International Judo Federation athlete profile, May 2024 (archive footage). Open on YouTubeA promise to her grandfather
Huh first drew wide attention in Korea when, after the Paris 2024 Olympics, she visited her grandfather's grave with her silver and bronze medals. She has now promised to return with gold. "I most want to show what winning looks like," she said. "I definitely want to take a gold medal to his memorial stone."
Korea's judo team won only one gold at the Hangzhou Asian Games three years ago, its lowest tally. This time, with Huh, Kim Min-jong, Lee Joon-hwan and Lee Hyun-ji leading the squad, the team is targeting four gold medals.
The Asian Games judo competition runs from 30 September to 3 October at the Aichi International Arena.