[Anchor]

Overcoming the tears of the Asian Games, 19-year-old Lee Hyun-ji, the rising star of South Korean judo who conquered the World Championships, has returned home in triumph. She shared a fresh goal, expressing her determination to study English hard so she can excel not only in judo but also in post-match victory interviews.

Reporter Jeon Yeongmin has the story.

[Reporter]

After shedding tears over a heartbreaking comeback defeat in the Asian Games final, Lee Hyun-ji returned stronger than ever at the World Championships, sweeping all her matches with ippon victories to reach the top. She flashed a bright smile as she showed off her gold medal.

[Lee Hyun-ji / National Judo Team Member, Women's Heavyweight Division: My physical condition felt surprisingly 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 for. We will remain friendly competitors, but my gratitude and the respect I hold for her will never change.]

Her English interview conducted right 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...]

Grateful to the reporter who chose simple words for her to understand when she struggled with the English questions, she resolved to improve her English skills.

[Lee Hyun-ji / National Judo Team Member, Women's Heavyweight Division: My parents didn't just say 'congratulations'; they told me 'you need to study English.' So I think I'll start studying as soon as I get back.]

Meanwhile, head coach Jeong Seong-sook, who sparked controversy due to poor management of the national delegation—including failing to realize that women's 48kg division judoka Jeong Soojin was subject to a random weight check, resulting in disqualification, and missing a connecting flight on the way to the World Championships—has expressed her intention to resign.

[Jeong Seong-sook / Women's National Judo Team Head Coach: On behalf of the coaching staff and as a manager, I would like to once again express my sincere apologies and remorse to athlete Jeong Soojin and her family. I am truly sorry.]

The Korea Judo Association will decide on disciplinary measures for Coach Jeong and the coaching staff on October 16.

(Video by Kim Hak-mo | Video Editing by Hwang Ji-young | Footage provided by JUDO TV)