The South Korean national judo team has failed to advance to the final of the mixed team event at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The national team suffered a 3-4 defeat against Kazakhstan in the semifinals of the judo mixed team event held today (the 3rd) at the Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, dashing their hopes of winning the gold medal.

Earlier today, South Korea easily defeated China 4-1 in the quarterfinals to advance to the semifinals.

The semifinal match against Kazakhstan was fiercely contested.

Heo Mi-mi (Gyeongbuk Sports Council), a gold medalist competing in the women's 57kg division for the first match, easily subdued Dana Abdirova by ippon with a hold-down (uk-gatame), boosting the team's momentum.

However, Lee Eun-gyeol (Buan County Office) competing in the men's 73kg division, fell behind after conceding a yuko via a minor outer hook (soto-makikomi / rear foot sweep) 41 seconds before the end of the match, despite pushing his opponent, Gusman Kyrgyzbayev, with two shidos (penalties), tying the score at 1-1.

As the third competitor, Kim Hye-mi (Gwangju Metro Corporation) of the women's 70kg division defeated Azhar Askhat in a grueling golden score (overtime) battle with a yuko victory via an inner thigh sweep (osoto-gari / inner sweep), putting South Korea ahead 2-1.

However, Kim Jong-hoon in the men's 90kg division suffered a defeat by waza-ari to Aidar Arapov via a rear foot sweep, bringing the match back to a 2-2 tie.

South Korea was just one win away from reaching the final when Kim Ha-yun (Ansan City Hall) secured an ippon victory in the women's over-78kg division match 5 against Aidar Toyisbekova, combining a waza-ari from a shoulder throw with another waza-ari from a hold-down.

However, heavyweight judoka Kim Min-jong (Yangpyeong County Office) lost to Marat Baikamurov by waza-ari after an intense golden score overtime period, failing to close out the match.

Tied 3-3, South Korea entered extra time, and following a draw, the women's heavyweight match took place.

Kim Ha-yun stepped up for South Korea again, while Toyisbekova represented Kazakhstan.

The fierce battle was decided in golden score overtime.

Kim Ha-yun was placed in a disadvantageous position after receiving two consecutive shidos in overtime, and unable to turn the situation around, she picked up a third shido and bowed her head.

South Korea will face Uzbekistan this afternoon in the bronze medal match.