Lee Hyun-ji Returns Home in Triumph After 'All-Ippon' World Championship Win... "I'll Study English Hard"

[Anchor]

Nineteen-year-old judo rising star Lee Hyun-ji, who conquered the World Championships by overcoming the tears of the Asian Games, has returned home in triumph. She shared a fresh and unique goal, saying she will work hard at studying English so she can do well not only in judo but also in post-match championship interviews.

Reporter Jeon Yeongmin has the story.

[Reporter]

After shedding tears over a heartbreaking come-from-behind defeat in the Asian Games final, Lee Hyun-ji returned stronger than ever at the World Championships, winning every single match by ippon to reach the top. She proudly showed off her gold medal with a bright smile.

[Lee Hyun-ji / National Judo Team Member, Women's Heavyweight Division: My condition felt unusually great that day. I am so proud, and because I had such a great match, I think I can show an even better performance next time.]

She also shed tears while thinking of her senior, Kim Ha-yun, who is both her role model and competitor.

[Lee Hyun-ji / National Judo Team Member, Women's Heavyweight Division: I have so much to thank Ha-yun unni for. Even though we will remain friendly competitors, I am always grateful to her, and my respect for her will never change.]

The English interview conducted immediately after her victory also drew attention.

[Reporter: Romane Dicko, strong, you, strong!]

[Lee Hyun-ji / National Judo Team Member, Women's Heavyweight Division: Because she was an opponent I had never faced before...]

Expressing gratitude to the reporter who chose simple words to help her when she struggled to understand the English questions, she resolved to improve her English skills.

[Lee Hyun-ji / National Judo Team Member, Women's Heavyweight Division: Rather than just saying 'congratulations,' my parents told me, 'You need to study English,' so I think I'll start studying as soon as I get back.]

Meanwhile, Head Coach Jeong Sung-sook, who invited criticism over poor delegation management—including failing to realize that women's 48kg category athlete Jeong Soojin was subject to a random weigh-in, leading to her disqualification, and missing a connecting flight on the way to the World Championships—has expressed her intent to resign.

[Jeong Sung-sook / Head Coach, Women's National Judo Team: Once again, representing the coaching staff and as a manager, I would like to express my sincere apologies and say I am deeply sorry to athlete Jeong Soojin and her family. I am sorry.]

The Korea Judo Association will decide on measures regarding Coach Jeong and the coaching staff on the 16th.

(Video Shooting: Kim Hak-mo, Video Editing: Hwang Ji-young, Screen Provided by: JUDO TV)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.