South Korea's judokas aim to erase Hangzhou heartbreak at Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games

South Korea's judo team is looking to put the disappointment of Hangzhou behind it and restore the country's standing at the Asian Games.

The squad arrived in Nagoya on Sunday and will compete at Aichi International Arena from Wednesday through Saturday at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, targeting at least three gold medals.

South Korea won five gold medals at the 2014 Incheon Games and four at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games, but managed just one in Hangzhou in 2022 — the fewest in the country's Asian Games judo history. Athletes who gained experience during that generational transition have since grown into world-class competitors, and the team is determined to reclaim its reputation this time around.

On the men's side, Lee Jun-hwan (Pohang City Hall) in the under-81-kilogram category and Kim Min-jong (Yangpyeong-gun Office) in the over-100-kilogram category are the top gold medal contenders. Lee won the Asian Championships in two consecutive years and took bronze at the Paris Olympics. Kim, a Paris Olympics silver medalist, is looking to improve on his Hangzhou bronze and reach the top of the podium at his second Asian Games.

On the women's side, Paris Olympics silver medalist Heo Mimi (North Gyeongsang Province Sports Council) and heavyweight Lee Hyeon-ji (Yongin University) are expected to be strong performers. Heo underwent shoulder surgery after the Paris Olympics but has maintained her elite form. Lee secured her individual event spot by defeating Hangzhou gold medalist Kim Ha-yun (Ansan City Hall) in the national selection trials. Kim Ha-yun will compete in the mixed team event.

On the opening day Wednesday, Lee Ha-rim (Yangpyeong-gun Office) will compete in the men's under-60-kilogram category. A bronze medalist at the Jakarta-Palembang Games and silver medalist in Hangzhou, Lee will have a rematch for gold against Taiwan's Yang Yung-wei, who defeated him in the Hangzhou final.

The team prepared by bringing in Japanese coach Tanaka Miki and using an AI match-analysis system called "Kiss-JIAS," developed by the Korea Institute of Sport Science.

Japan will field mostly second-string athletes at the Asian Games, as the schedule overlaps with the International Judo Federation World Championships opening Sunday. However, the gap between Japan's first and second tiers is not wide, so South Korea cannot afford to be complacent.

"The athletes who gained experience at the last Games have become world-class competitors," men's head coach Hwang Hui-tae said. "We will definitely deliver strong results at this tournament."

Individual events run through Friday, with the mixed team event scheduled for Saturday.