Having won bronze medals at the previous two consecutive events, Kim Hyung-hee (53, Seoul City Hall) grabbed the barbell at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games aiming for at least a silver medal.

However, after her final successful lift was ruled invalid, she had to settle for a bronze medal on her 53rd birthday.

Competing in the women's 67kg weightlifting event at the Fukiage Hall in Nagoya, Japan today (October 21), Kim lifted 107kg to finish third among seven competitors.

Meeting with reporters after the match, Kim shed tears, saying, "I am so sad. I don't feel good. I know I should try to be in a good mood, but it's hard."

The silver medal seemed within her grasp.

After easily clearing 104kg in her first attempt and 107kg in her second, Kim challenged herself with 109kg after India's Kasturi Rajamani lifted 108kg in her final attempt.

She hoisted the barbell with a loud shout, but following a video review, it was ruled a failure.

Regulations require the lifter to bring the bar down to the chest, come to a complete stop, and then press it back up.

Kim was judged to have lifted the bar without pausing sufficiently, meaning her record was not recognized.

Ultimately, Kim secured her third consecutive bronze medal following the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and the previous Hangzhou Games.

She lifted 107kg in Indonesia and 111kg at the Hangzhou Games held in 2023.

Although she stood on the podium for three straight games, she was unable to change the color of the medal she wanted.

Having started weightlifting in 2007, Kim has led South Korean women's weightlifting by competing consecutively in the 2016 Rio, Tokyo, and Paris Paralympics.

However, her current physical condition is still not fully recovered.

She underwent surgery on her left shoulder ahead of the 2024 Paris Paralympics, and pain still lingers today.

Competing in the wake of the surgery, she finished ninth in Paris with a lift of 95kg.

This time she lifted 12kg more than back then, but it wasn't enough to reach the silver medal.

Kim explained, "My condition has improved since the surgery, but it still hurts. During training, I lifted 110 to 111kg. I think I need to practice a lot more to lift that much in an actual competition."

Leaving behind the regrets of her birthday, Kim's challenge continues.

Kim will aim for a medal once again in the women's team event held at the same venue on October 23.

Following that, she will prepare for the World Championships to be held in Bahrain in November.

Kim emphasized, "I need to do well in both the team event and the World Championships. I will do my best."

(Photo courtesy of the Korean Paralympic Committee, Yonhap News)