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JINCHEON, South Korea (Aug. 20) -- Huh Mimi, a judoka of South Korean origin born in Tokyo, expressed her focus on achieving a gold medal at the upcoming Asian Games in her native Japan. Huh, 23, switched allegiance to South Korea in 2021 in fulfillment of her late grandmother's final wish. As a descendant of a Korean independence fighter from the Japanese colonial era, Huh's personal history has added to her growing reputation in international judo, earning her Olympic silver and world titles in 2024.

However, Huh faced challenges in her rehabilitation after undergoing shoulder surgery in March 2024, a period that left her questioning her ability to reach the podium again. She returned to international competition in November 2024, claiming gold in women's 57 kg category at the International Judo Federation Grand Slam event in Abu Dhabi, marking her first victory since the Olympics.

Despite the pressure leading up to the Asian Games, Huh credits her loved ones for their support and emphasizes her determination to secure a gold medal. Her teammate, Kim Min-jong, also eyeing his first Asian Games gold, expressed his resolve not to settle for silver or bronze, as he believes anything less would be a disappointment and hinder his pursuit of the ultimate prize.