Gurye-gun Office Women's Ssireum Team Player Eom Hajin Crowned National Champion

Defeating Chrysanthemum Class Champion Im Soo-jung to Claim Victory

Secures 9th Personal Jangsa Title

[Gurye=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yuk Miseok] Um Hajin, a female ssireum wrestler from the Jeonnam Gurye County Office team, won the Chrysanthemum weight class (under 70kg) by defeating Lim Sujeong 2:1 at the ‘Withus Pharmaceutical 2022 Cheonhajangsa Ssireum Festival’ held from November 7 to November 13.

Um Hajin is enjoying her prime with seven championship titles this year, marking her ninth overall championship title in her career.

In the quarterfinals and semifinals, she faced Jang Jeongin (Gurye County Office) and Lee Jaeha (Ansan City Office), respectively, winning both matches 2-0 and advancing to the finals with unstoppable momentum.

The final was a fierce battle against the formidable Lim Sujeong, who boasts 22 championship titles in total. Um Hajin took the first round with a ppuryeochigi (sprinkling strike), but allowed Lim Sujeong to score with deulbaejigi (shoulder throw), tying the match 1-1.

In the decisive final round, Um Hajin pinned Lim Sujeong to the sandpit with a left baejigi (back throw), becoming the ultimate winner.

Kim Sunho, the governor of Gurye County, said, “The hard work of the county and the athletes in creating a safe and comfortable training environment has come together well to produce this excellent result,” adding, “We promise to provide unwavering support so that the athletes can focus solely on their training in the future.”

Meanwhile, the Gurye County Office ssireum team stated, “With this tournament, we have successfully concluded this year’s competitions,” and expressed their ambition, saying, “We will achieve good results in all tournaments held in 2023, establishing ourselves as the absolute powerhouse in women’s ssireum, while delivering fun and inspiration through ssireum.”

Gurye=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yuk Miseok hss79@asiae.co.kr