Friendly with Han players... North Korean player refuses handshake despite winning North-South match [Asian Games]

North Judo Athlete Kim Cheol-gwang Refuses Handshake with South's Kang Heon-cheol
They Competed as a Unified Team in an International Tournament 5 Years Ago

At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, North Korean judo athlete Kim Cheol-gwang (27) defeated South Korea's Kang Heon-cheol (Korean Judo Association) to advance to the quarterfinals. However, after the match ended, Kim Cheol-gwang was seen rejecting Kang Heon-cheol's handshake.

The match took place on the 25th (local time) at the Linpu Gymnasium in Xiaoshan, China. The two competitors engaged in a fierce battle throughout the match, and just before the end, Kim Cheol-gwang won by ippon with a harai goshi technique against Kang Heon-cheol.

Kim Cheol-gwang of North Korea pushing away Kang Heon-cheol's hand and leaving.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

After the referee announced the result, Kang Heon-cheol approached Kim Cheol-gwang first to offer a handshake. However, Kim Cheol-gwang rejected Kang Heon-cheol's hand and walked off the court.

In judo, it is customary etiquette for both athletes to shake hands, bow to each other, and then leave the mat. Additionally, it is often the winner who first offers a handshake to the opponent rather than the loser.

However, in this match, despite the loser Kang Heon-cheol extending his hand first, Kim Cheol-gwang ignored it. Kang Heon-cheol watched Kim Cheol-gwang's back as he left the stage and then turned away. This was considered a rare scene in judo, a sport that places great importance on athlete etiquette.

Kim Cheol-gwang's behavior does not appear to have been directed by the North Korean team as a whole. Earlier that same morning, in the 70kg round of 16 judo match, North Korean athlete Mun Seong-hee, who defeated Han Hee-joo (KH Philux), was the one who first offered a handshake.

Kim Cheol-gwang (center), who participated in the 2018 International Judo Federation World Championships. [Image source=Korea Judo Association]

The reason why Kim Cheol-gwang refused the handshake has not been disclosed, but viewers who witnessed the scene expressed regret. It is reported that Kim Cheol-gwang has shown camaraderie with South Korean athletes in international competitions in the past.

Kim Cheol-gwang participated in a mixed team event as part of a unified team with South Korean athletes at the 2018 International Judo Federation (IJF) World Championships. On the official website of the Korean Judo Association, there is a photo of Kim Cheol-gwang smiling together with South Korean athletes, wearing the Korean Peninsula flag on his chest.