“Weight Check Disqualification” Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Judo Athlete Jeong Su-jin Breaks Silence: “Due to Incorrect Information, I Ate a Meal—Want to Set the Record Straight About My Grievance”; There Was Even Coercion [Aichi-Nagoya AG]

*This content was translated by AI.

Jeong Su-jin (21, Yongin University), a member of the South Korean women’s national judo team who suffered a disqualification loss at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games after failing to pass a same-day random additional weight check by exceeding the limit by just 100 grams, broke her silence and revealed the shocking details of what happened. She claimed that she had finished eating with peace of mind due to incorrect information from the head coach and coaching staff, and was only notified right before the weight check deadline.

In a statement posted on her social media on the 4th, Jeong stated, “I wish to convey the accurate facts and my position regarding the indiscriminate criticism and condemnation pouring in over my disqualification at this Asian Games’ weight check.”

Previously, Jeong was ruled a forfeit loss for failing to appear in the Round of 16 of the women’s 48 kg class, which was scheduled to be held on the 30th of last month at the Aichi International Arena in Japan. In judo, to prevent rapid weight cutting and rebounding, a random additional weight check is conducted on some athletes drawn by lot on the morning of the competition day, allowing only weight gain within 5% of the class standard (50.4 kg for the 48th kg class). At the time, Jeong was reported to have been disqualified for exceeding the allowed limit by a mere 100 grams, drawing fierce criticism labeling it as a “failure in basic self-management” and a “disgrace to the nation.”

However, according to Jeong’s explanation, the situation was entirely different. She stated that after passing the official weight check the previous day, she had strictly maintained the 50.4 kg standard by controlling her food intake right up until just before the morning draw on competition day.

The problem arose during the process of confirming the draw results. Jeong said, “After the weight check draw results were announced on the morning of the competition day, the head coach and coaching staff checked them and told me, ‘Only one male athlete was selected, and you are not a target.’” She added, “Just in case, I asked for reconfirmation, but they said, ‘Since you weren’t selected, quickly eat a meal to recover the weight you lost.’” Fully trusting the coaching staff’s words, Jeong consumed approximately 300 grams of porridge, 200 grams of banana, and 600 grams of an ion drink in preparation for her first match, and began warming up.

The nightmare began just 15 minutes before the weight check deadline. She was belatedly informed that she had actually been included in the weight check targets. During the remaining 15 minutes, Jeong vomited everything she had eaten, cut her hair, and ran on the track. She knelt down and pleaded for just three more minutes, but ultimately failed to reduce the required 100 grams without exceeding the physical limit of 15 minutes, resulting in disqualification.

While stating, “As a national team athlete, I feel deep guilt and responsibility for not directly confirming the weight check draw results myself,” Jeong appealed that “it was also a natural situation for an athlete to follow the instructions of her coach.”

She also expressed strong regret regarding the post-incident response. Jeong revealed, “The coaching staff left only the words ‘We will take responsibility when we return to Korea’ and proceeded to coach other athletes, while the Korea Judo Association allowed it to be reported as mere personal negligence without disclosing such internal circumstances.” She added, “This morning, the head coach said, ‘If this ends as is, we can quietly wrap it up.’”

Finally, she concluded her post by saying, “I am well aware that posting this may mean I will no longer be able to continue my athletic career,” but added, “However, I wanted to correct the grievous facts as they are, rather than continuing to compete with the stigma of being a ‘disgrace-to-the-nation weight check disqualification athlete.’ I bow my head once again and apologize for bringing results that did not meet expectations.”

As the first Asian Games for an athlete who had drawn attention as a next-generation ace by winning bronze medals two years in a row at the 2024 and 2025 Junior Asian Championships ended in tragedy due to the sloppy administration and neglect of management by the coaching staff, demands for a thorough investigation into the sports community and the Korea Judo Association are expected to intensify.

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*This content was translated by AI.