Gyeongnam Provincial Office Judo Team Wins Gold Medal for 2 Consecutive Years at National Sports Festival

Won 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 2 Bronze Medals in the Individual Competition

The Gyeongnam Provincial Government Judo Team won gold medals for the second consecutive year at the 104th National Sports Festival.

The provincial government judo team announced on the 19th that they participated in the National Sports Festival held in Jeonnam starting from the 13th and won one gold medal, one silver medal, and two bronze medals.

According to the judo team, the gold medalist was Go Jaekyung, who competed in the men's individual -73kg category.

Player Go defeated Jeonbuk with an ippon victory in the round of 16 and won by shido against Gyeonggi Province in the quarterfinals.

After winning the semifinal against Gwangju by ippon, he secured the final victory by scoring waza-ari against a Daegu player, ultimately winning the championship.

Although Go appeared unable to fully demonstrate his skills due to a back injury sustained during the match, he ultimately won the gold medal, achieving back-to-back National Sports Festival championships following the 103rd event last year.

The Judo team of Gyeongnam Provincial Office is posing for a commemorative photo wearing the medals they won at the 104th National Sports Festival.
[Photo by Gyeongnam Provincial Office Judo Team]

Kim Jaeryeong, who competed in the women's individual -57kg category, won by penalty against a Busan player in the quarterfinals and defeated a Chungbuk player in the semifinals to advance to the final.

Kim earned the silver medal after extending the match to overtime against a Gyeongbuk player in the final.

In the men's individual -81kg category, Lee Junsung won a bronze medal, and in the women's -70kg category, Yoo Jiyoung also took home a bronze medal.

Player Go said, "Thanks to the support and encouragement from the provincial government officials, we were able to achieve good results," adding, "I want to express my gratitude to my teammates who cheered me on and to the coach who guided us this far."

He further expressed his ambition, saying, "I will win the gold medal again at the 105th National Sports Festival to be held in Gimhae in 2024 and achieve a three-peat."

Coach Ahn Sujeong said, "Thanks to the players who trusted each other and trained hard, the provincial government staff who cheered us on, and the Gyeongnam Judo Association officials, we were able to achieve these results."

Yoo Jeongje, Director of Sports Support Division, who visited the site, said, "I am proud of the players who gave their best in every match," and congratulated them on the rewarding results earned through their hard work and sweat.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.