"Grandpa, I'll Bring Home a Gold Medal This Time!"

[Anchor]

For Heo Mimi, a Korean-Japanese judo star and a descendant of the independence activist Heo Seok, the upcoming Nagoya Asian Games are special in many ways. She has delivered a passionate pledge to lay a gold medal at her grandfather's grave.

Jeon Yeongmin reports.

[Reporter]

While joking around with her close senior Kim Ha-yun and junior Lee Hyun-ji with bright expressions, Heo Mimi's gaze sharpens instantly as training begins.

Using her left shoulder, which she had surgery on two years ago, she throws male partners with shoulder drops and pushes through rigorous training by climbing ropes barehanded.

[Heo Mimi / National Judo Team: My shoulder is getting a lot better, and since it doesn't hurt right now, there's no need to worry.]

For Heo Mimi, a Korean-Japanese who was naturalized 5 years ago, the Asian Games taking place in Japan hold special meaning.

Armed with the resilience that helped her bounce back from injuries last year to conquer the Universiad and Grand Slam, she is determined to win a gold medal with the Taegeuk mark on her chest in Japan, the birthplace of judo and where she grew up.

[Heo Mimi / National Judo Team: Since the (competition) is being held in Japan, there's a sense that I can show an even better side of myself, and having my family close by seems to give me even more strength.]

In particular, she promised that after the Paris Olympics, she visited the grave of her late grandfather and independence activist Heo Seok carrying silver and bronze medals, but this time she will return wearing a gold medal.

[Heo Mimi / National Judo Team: I think I most want to show him a winning performance. I really want to take a gold medal (to my grandfather's memorial stone).]

Having fallen short with a record-low single gold medal at the Hangzhou Games 3 years ago, the national team aims to capture 4 gold medals at this tournament, spearheaded by Heo Mimi along with Kim Min-jong, Lee Jun-hwan, and Lee Hyun-ji.

[Korean Judo, Fighting!]

(Camera: Yang Doo-won | Video Editing: Ha Seong-won | Design: Park Hye-jin)

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