“Comedy of Women’s Judo”: Coach Chung Sung-sook Resigns Amid Unprecedented Weight-Class Disqualification and Flight Miss Controversy

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Chung Sung-sook (54), head coach of the women’s Yoo Do (CEO) team, expressed her intention to resign, taking responsibility for controversies surrounding an athlete’s weight-class disqualification at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and allegations of inadequate team management during travel to the World Championships.

Coach Chung, who returned home through Incheon International Airport on the 13th after the conclusion of the 2026 International Judo Federation (IJF) World Championships, stated in front of reporters that she would step down from her position.

The controversy began with the women’s 48 kg class event at the earlier Asian Games. Jung Su-jin (Yongin University), who was scheduled to compete, consumed food without knowing she had been selected for random weight checks due to incorrect guidance from the coaching staff, resulting in her disqualification for exceeding the weight limit. Subsequently, fierce criticism arose after Jung disclosed the coach’s error through social media (SNS).

In response, Coach Chung apologized, stating, “All responsibility lies with the coaching staff. I am sorry and feel ashamed toward athlete Jung Su-jin.” However, she refuted the team’s claim that she had attempted to quietly suppress the controversy, stating it was not true.

The controversy over inadequate national team management erupted again during travel to the World Championships. The group, including Coach Chung, missed their flight while transferring at Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), leading to an absurd situation where they waited approximately nine hours before traveling on a replacement flight.

Regarding suspicions that she missed the flight because she was eating, Coach Chung explained, “It was not due to a meal, but because I miscalculated the travel time.”

Despite the chaotic circumstances, the Yoo Do (CEO) team returned home with a gold medal won by Lee Hyeon-ja (Yongin University) in the women’s 78 kg plus class.

The Korea Judo Association plans to proceed with official procedures as soon as Coach Chung’s letter of resignation is submitted. Separately, it will hold an internal evaluation meeting and a Performance Improvement Committee on the upcoming 16th to determine measures regarding the coaching staff and continue its investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jung Su-jin’s weight-class disqualification incident.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original