(Asian Games) S. Korean judo captain says strong mentality led to gold following arm injury

JAKARTA, Aug. 31 (Yonhap) — With an injured arm, South Korean judoka Kim Sung-min said Friday he fought with a do-or-die mantra in the men’s over-100 kilogram division final at the 18th Asian Games.

Kim beat Duurenbayar Ulziibayar of Mongolia in the final at Jakarta Convention Center Plenary Hall in Jakarta to take his first Asiad individual gold. He had already grabbed gold in the team event at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, but settled for bronze in the men’s over-100kg.

On his way to the final, Kim edged out the defending champion Takeshi Ojitani of Japan on “hansoku-make,” or foul-play loss, in the semifinal. Hesustained an injury in his right arm, however, following an unapproved move by Ojitani that was ruled foul.

“When my arm was bent over, I heard a sound and I felt pain,” Kim said. “But thanks to our trainers and coaches, I was able to move and I fought with a do-or-die mantra in the final.”

South Korean judoka Kim Sung-min shows the gold medal he won in the men’s over-100 kilogram division at the 18th Asian Games during the medal ceremony at Jakarta Convention Center Plenary Hall in Jakarta on Aug. 31, 2018. (Yonhap)

In the final, Kim faced Ulziibayar, who defeated him in the semifinals at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games. Against Ulziibayar, Kim earned waza-ari with a hip throw and sealed the gold.

“I got bronze in Incheon because of him, and I lost to him in our recent meeting in China,” he said. “I studied his gripping skills and I’m happy that I was able to avenge my defeats to him.”

Kim, 31, serves as captain in the national judo team. He said South Korean judokas fought hard for the Asian Games, allowing them to wash away the disappointing results at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

South Korea got no gold medals at Rio 2016 and only won two silvers and one bronze. Kim finished ninth in his event.

At Jakarta-Palembang 2018, South Korea so far has four gold, six silver and one bronze medal.

“Everyone felt regrets from the Rio Olympics and that’s why we all worked hard,” he said. “I’m also captain of this team, and I wanted to carry out my responsibility as captain.”

Kim, a veteran who also finished fifth at London 2012, said he will keep moving on for a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“I’ve been at the national training center for about 12 years, and I’m happy that I was able to get this big individual honor,” he said. “But me and my teammates will not settle here. I personally want to know the feeling of winning a medal at the Olympics.”

South Korean judoka Kim Sung-min (L) celebrates after winning the men’s over-100 kilogram division final at the 18th Asian Games at Jakarta Convention Center Plenary Hall in Jakarta on Aug. 31, 2018. (Yonhap)