“Regrettable Decision”: Kim Min-ju Falls to Foul Loss Despite Aggressive Assault, Takes Silver... Japan’s Sugimura Claims Gold [Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games]

*This content was translated by AI.

It was a regrettable decision. Kim Min-ju (Gwangju Transportation Corporation), a dark horse in the heavyweight division of Korean women’s judo, hung a silver medal around her neck after suffering a foul loss following an overtime bloodbath amid questionable judging.

On the 2nd, at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, Kim Min-ju faced host nation Japan’s Sugimura Mizuki in the final of the women’s 78 kg judo event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. After a close overtime golden score battle, she accumulated three shido cards for offenses including feigned attacks and lost by foul.

Initially not classified as a strong contender for gold at the Games, Kim Min-ju caused an upset by advancing to the final, turning her first Asian Games medal into silver. She defeated Ekaterina Tokareva (Kazakhstan) in the quarterfinals with a decisive ippon via her signature back throw, and then beat Akulina Shayep (Lebanon) in the semifinals with a waza-ari victory via shoulder throw to advance to the final.

However, the judging in the final was painful. Facing Sugimura, a world-class athlete on home turf, Kim Min-ju exchanged one shido card each within about 40 seconds of the start of the match. She then relentlessly attempted her signature two-handed back throw attacks, aggressively pressing the offensive.

While Kim Min-ju took an aggressive approach, Sugimura responded with consistent defense. Nevertheless, with about 20 seconds remaining in regulation time, the referee declared a feigned attack against Kim Min-ju and awarded her a second shido card, putting her in a difficult position.

Even in the golden score overtime, which she entered at a disadvantage, Kim Min-ju unleashed continuous attacks. At about 1 minute and 10 seconds into overtime, she induced a shido against her opponent for passive play, tying the shido score at 2-2.

Continuing the exchange in an exhausted state, Kim Min-ju ultimately bowed her head after receiving a third shido card from the referee for another feigned attack decision at about 2 minutes and 3 seconds into overtime.

Born in 2003, Kim Min-ju, who attended Gwangju Middle School, Gwangju High School, and Yongin University, made her name on the international stage by defeating Hamada Shori (Japan), the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist, in the semifinals of the December 2024 Tokyo Grand Slam. She is a skilled athlete who also reached the top at last May’s Barysh Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, on the final day of individual events for Korean judo that day, Lee Hyeon-ja (Yongin University) in the women’s over 78 kg division advanced to the final but lost by ippon to Niu Xinlan (China), adding a silver medal. Kim Min-jong (Yangpyeong County Office) in the men’s over 100 kg division, Kim Jong-hoon (Yangpyeong County Office) in the men’s 90 kg division, and Han Ju-yeop (High1 Resort) in the men’s 100 kg division each won their bronze medal matches to secure bronze medals.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.