(Olympics) Judo team heads to Paris, looking to end gold medal drought

With two reigning world champions leading the way, the South Korean judo team for the Paris Olympics traveled to the French capital Thursday. South Korea was shut out of gold medals in judo at each of the past two Summer Olympics, but coaches and athletes this year believe the drought will end in Paris this summer. The presence of two recent world champions, Huh Mimi in the women's -57 kilograms and Kim Min-jong in the men's +100 kilograms, gives the team a much-needed shot of confidence. Hwang Hee-tae, the men's head coach, said Lee Joon-hwan in the men's -81kg is also a strong gold medal threat. Lee has won two bronze medals at the past two world championships. "Korean judo has been in a funk since we last won a gold at the London Olympics 12 years ago. If we don't bring home a gold medal this time, then the sport will fall even further," Hwang told reporters at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul. "The men's team could grab up to two gold medals. I am sure we can usher in a new golden age of Korean judo." Kim Mi-jung, the 1992 Olympic champion in the women's -72kg who now coaches the women's national team, said her athletes have enough talent to contribute to the medal tally. "When I took over the team in November 2021, many people were worried about the state of the women's team. But these athletes have exceeded my expectations," said Kim, who had her nails done in the colors of the national flag, Taegeukgi. "I've been telling them to hold their heads high and feel more confident in their abilities. They are capable of grabbing gold medals." In addition to Huh, Kim Ha-yun, the reigning Asian Games gold medalist in the +78kg, is considered a medal contender on the women's side. Source: Yonhap News Agency