▲ South Korean national Kurash athlete Kim Min-young
South Korean national Kurash athlete Kim Min-young (21, Korea National Sport University) has advanced to the final of the women's over-87kg event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, securing at least a silver medal.
On September 29, Kim defeated Arailym Shegenova of Kazakhstan 1-0 in the semifinals of the women's over-87kg Kurash event held at the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium in Nagoya, Japan.
Having previously subdued her opponents in the round of 16 and quarterfinals in succession by "Halal" (Ippon), Kim grabbed her ticket to the final following a tight match in the semifinals.
In the semifinal, both Kim and Shegenova recorded one "Chala" each.
However, in accordance with the regulation that if technical evaluations are tied, the player who scored last wins, Kim emerged victorious with a final decision of 1-0.
With this, Kim is now just one win away from capturing the first-ever Asian Games gold medal in South Korean Kurash history.
Following Mo Su-min (Korea National Sport University) winning the silver medal yesterday in the women's 78kg division—making her the first South Korean female Kurash athlete to win a silver—Kim's advancement to the final ensures that South Korea has secured a women's silver medal for two consecutive days.
Kim, who also won the gold medal at the Asian Championships in 2025, is now eyeing her first Asian Games victory after reigning as the top athlete in Asia for two consecutive years.
Kurash, a traditional martial art of Uzbekistan, is similar to judo, but ground pins, chokes, and joint locks are prohibited.
Bouts are decided by throwing the opponent while remaining in a standing position.
Kim, aiming to write a new chapter in South Korean Kurash history, will face Sryu Li-ling (Taiwan) in the final this afternoon at 3:00 PM.
(Photo: Provided by the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, Yonhap News)
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