Female Judo Pioneer Kang Yujeong Shaves Head to Pass Weigh-in... "Poured Everything Into It"

Judo national team member Kang Yoo-jeong is undergoing her final training with a shaved head on the 24th at the Nippon Budokan, where the women's judo 48kg event of the Tokyo Olympics is being held. Kang Yoo-jeong shaved all her hair the day before to pass the weigh-in. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Tae-min] At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Kang Yoo-jeong (25, Suncheon City Hall), competing in the women's judo 48kg category, showed her determination for an Olympic medal with a surprising shaved head.

On the 24th, ahead of the women's judo 48kg event held at the Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda, Tokyo, Kang Yoo-jeong completed her final training with her head completely shaved white. She shaved all her hair off while making her final weight cut the day before to pass the weigh-in.

Usually, she loses about 5kg before competitions, but as the weigh-in became tight, she shaved her hair on the spot. Ultimately, Kang Yoo-jeong passed the weigh-in and was able to compete normally in the event.

A judo official explained, "Athletes control their weight through intense training and diet adjustments starting about ten days before the competition. About a day before the weigh-in, they undergo a harsh weight-cutting process to remove as much body water as possible."

Korean judo will have Kang Yoo-jeong and Kim Won-jin in the men's 60kg category competing as the first judokas on the 24th. Kim Won-jin, competing in his second Olympics, is a gold medal contender. He was eliminated early at the Rio Olympics five years ago but has upgraded his skills by overcoming poor performance and slumps.