Judoka wins Asian Games gold after honouring dying grandmother's wish

NAGOYA, Japan - Tokyo-born judoka Huh Mimi switched her allegiance to South Korea at her grandmother's dying wish and emerged victorious with the Asian Games gold medal on Thursday. The Olympic silver medallist, born to a Korean father and Japanese mother, represented Japan until 2021 before switching allegiance. She defeated Mongolia's Ariunzaya Terbish in the women's under-57kg final, securing South Korea's first judo gold of the competition.

Huh, 23, admitted the journey to the podium had been challenging, citing the pressure and expectation that came with competing in the country of her birth. She said she felt the weight of it all, but the support she received from people assuring her that a gold medal was not the only goal, helped her approach the competition with a clearer mindset.

Huh's win was not without its doubts, though. With three minutes and 50 seconds left in the final, she found herself pondering her next move as she held onto the lead. "I just kept hanging in there," she admitted, reflecting on her experience in the lead. South Korea's judo team had never tasted gold at the Asian Games before, making Huh's victory all the more significant.