(LEAD) (Asiad) S. Korea's Huh Mimi wins gold in women's judo, 1st at 2026 Asian Games

NAGOYA, Japan -- South Korea's judoka Huh Mimi claimed the gold medal in the women's -57-kilogram category at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, marking her nation's first judo gold at the event. She defeated Mongolia's Terbish Ariunzaya by a yuko, a minimal scoring method in judo, following a back-throw just 12 seconds into the final held at Aichi International Arena in central Japan.

Huh's victory also secured South Korea's maiden judo gold in the ongoing Games. Bronze medals were shared by Japan's Mio Shirakane and North Korea's Kim Hyon-a.

The 21-year-old judoka, born in Tokyo to a Korean father and a Japanese mother, initially competed for Japan before switching allegiance to South Korea in 2021 to honor her grandmother's dying wish. Huh has previously won silver at the Paris Summer Olympics, and this win in her Asian Games debut further solidifies her dominance in the sport.