National judo athlete Huh Mimi (Gyeongbuk Sports Council) signed a management contract with the sports business group Brion Company today (17th).

"I definitely want to win a gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and take it to my grandmother's grave," Huh said. "I will surely sing along to the national anthem in Nagoya and Los Angeles [Olympics] that I memorized to sing during the Paris Olympics."

Huh is a second-generation Korean resident in Japan born to a Korean father and a Japanese mother.

She chose South Korean citizenship in 2021 following her grandmother's dying wish to see her compete as a South Korean athlete. Ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, she also drew attention after it was revealed that she is a fifth-generation descendant of the independence activist Huh Seok.

Prior to the Paris Olympics, Huh vowed to memorize the national anthem, win a gold medal, and sing along on the podium. However, she suffered a narrow defeat to Christa Deguchi of Canada in the women's 57kg final due to a controversial referee decision, taking home the silver medal.

Huh will aim for the gold medal in the 57kg judo event at the Asian Games on the 1st of next month.

This marks the first time Huh will compete in the individual judo event at the Asian Games.

(Photo provided by Brion Company, Yonhap News)