[Asian Games] 'Japan Wall Was High' Judo Mixed Team Event, Semifinal Defeat... Clash with Mongolia for Bronze Medal

Kim Ha-yoon, Kim Min-jong, Heo Mi-mi, and Lee Eun-gyeol Competed but All Lost
Bronze Medal Match Against Mongolia

The South Korean judo national team failed to overcome the wall of Japan in the mixed team event, the last medal event of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 27th, the Korean team suffered a 0-4 defeat to Japan in the semifinals of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games judo mixed team event held at Linpu Gymnasium in Xiaoshan, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China.

Female heavyweight gold medalist Kim Ha-yoon (Ansan City Hall) competed first against Takahashi Ruri but lost by waza-ari. Kim Ha-yoon conceded waza-ari due to a uchi-mata counter at 1 minute 27 seconds into the golden score overtime.

Kim Min-jong (Yangpyeong County Office), the male heavyweight bronze medalist who competed second, was defeated by Ota Hyo with an ippon. Kim Min-jong lost by an ippon from a thigh lift throw at 2 minutes 30 seconds.

Facing a crisis, the Korean team’s third competitor, female 57kg class Heo Mi-mi (Gyeongbuk Sports Council), attempted to turn the momentum against Tamaoki Momo but conceded a waza-ari from a te-guruma throw at 2 minutes 46 seconds into overtime, pushing the team to the brink.

Then, the fourth competitor, male 73kg class Lee Eun-gyeol (Yongin University), lost to Oyoshi Ken by ippon from an ankle lift throw, failing to advance to the final.

The team will compete against Mongolia in the bronze medal match later that afternoon.