Yoo Hye-bin from Imsil Wins Two Gold Medals in Weightlifting at National Sports Festival

Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk announced on the 17th that Yu Hye-bin (18), a native of Imsil, won two gold medals in the weightlifting category at the 104th National Sports Festival held this year.

Yu Hye-bin won two gold medals and one silver medal at this competition.

Yu, who is from Daeri, Sinpyeong-myeon, Imsil-gun, won a gold medal in the snatch (105 kg), a silver medal in the clean and jerk (129 kg), and a total gold medal with a combined weight of 234 kg at the National Sports Festival held in Mokpo this year, earning three medals in total.

Weightlifting girl Yu Hye-bin from Imsil won two gold medals in the weightlifting category at the National Sports Festival.
[Photo by Imsil-gun]

This remarkable achievement was made just three years after she started weightlifting, surprising those around her and quickly gaining attention as the "Girl with Superhuman Strength."

Yu, who was an ordinary student who liked sports, participated in a small local sports competition while attending Gwanchon Middle School, where she was encouraged by her teacher to compete in shot put and won first place.

Afterwards, Yu decided to pursue a career as an athlete, entered Jeonbuk Sports High School, switched her sport to weightlifting, and began intensive training. With her tall height of 173 cm, natural physical strength, and the devoted support and care of her parents, she developed her skills as a weightlifter.

Yu competes in the 87 kg unlimited weight class and pays special attention to weight management.

Yu’s mother, Go Ju-hee (45), said, “During the preparation for this sports festival, she competed while receiving physical therapy for her back pain, and I am very proud and impressed that she achieved such good results. I hope she stays healthy, works even harder, and repays the many people who support and expect great things from her.”

Yu is the second child among two sons and one daughter, born to her father Yu In-hwan (47) from Chungnam and her mother Go from Busan. They currently reside in Imsil due to her father’s job as an ecological architecture specialist.

Yu, who regards Jang Mi-ran as her role model, expressed, “I am grateful for the interest and support from many people. I will work harder and do my best to become a proud athlete for South Korea, Jeonbuk, and Imsil by participating in the Asian Games and the Olympics.”

County Governor Shim Min said, “We are very proud to have such a promising and talented athlete from Imsil. We will spare no effort to provide special attention and support so that Yu can focus more on her training.”

Imsil = Park No-sik, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr