Judo Hur Mimi Advances to Round of 8... Opponent Penalized for Consecutive Uchi-mata Throws [Paris Olympics]

The Fifth Generation Descendant of Independence Activist Heo Seok

South Korean judoka Heo Mimi (21, Gyeongbuk Sports Council) advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ranked 3rd in the world in judo, Heo Mimi won by penalty against Timna Nelson Levi (Israel, 10th) in the women's 57kg round of 16 held on the 29th at the Champ de Mars arena in Paris, France. Heo Mimi launched an aggressive offense from the start. When her opponent lost balance and fell to the ground, she attempted to lift her by grabbing the waist. Although she succeeded in flipping her, she could not secure a hold to finish the move.

Neither athlete could decide the match during the regular 4-minute period, leading to overtime (golden score). Since Heo Mimi had already received two shidos, she was at a disadvantage compared to Nelson Levi, who had one. Receiving three shidos results in disqualification. However, Heo Mimi attacked cautiously yet boldly. Her opponent, intimidated by Heo Mimi’s offense, played passively, received two shidos, and lost by penalty.

More than three minutes into overtime, Heo Mimi’s relentless shoulder throw attempts paid off. Having finished third in the Olympic qualification race, Heo Mimi received a high seed and advanced through the round of 32 by walkover.

Born in 2002 to a Korean father and Japanese mother, Heo Mimi renounced her Japanese nationality in 2021 and joined the Gyeongbuk Sports Council judo team, representing South Korea from the following year. She is also the fifth-generation descendant of independence activist Heo Seok (1857?1920), who was imprisoned for posting anti-Japanese leaflets during the Japanese colonial period.

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