Gold Medal Stolen, Winner Also Puzzled... Judo Heo Mimi Judgment Controversy [Paris Olympics]

Disqualification for 'Feigning Attack'... Winner Also Puzzled
Netizens "Stolen Gold Medal"... Outpouring of Anger

Heo Mimi (below) is competing against Krista Deguchi of Canada in the women's 57kg judo final at the 2024 Paris Olympics held at Arena Champs de Mars in Paris, France, on the 29th (local time).
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Heo Mimi (21, Gyeongbuk Sports Council), who competed in the women's 57kg judo category at the 2024 Paris Olympics, suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the final, sparking controversy over the referee's decision.

On the 29th (local time), Heo Mimi faced world No. 1 Christa Deguchi (Canada) in the final held at the Champ de Mars arena in Paris, France, going into overtime.

After the overtime began, Heo Mimi was the first to launch an attack. She attempted a throw by inserting her right shoulder, and when that failed, she quickly got up and tried a throw on the opposite side.

Deguchi, who was on the defensive, moved backward to avoid Heo Mimi's attacks. The referee judged Heo Mimi's move as a 'feint attack.' A feint attack refers to pretending to attack without the actual intention to do so. Generally, when a player in a disadvantageous position makes a defensive attack to avoid the situation, a feint attack penalty is given.

Kim Mi-jung, head coach of the Korean women's judo team, expressed regret over the decision. Coach Kim said, "Perspectives may differ, but Mimi never intended to make a feint attack," adding, "Mimi did not sit down or stop; she kept getting up and attacking." She continued, "Also, the Canadian player did not particularly attack either. I think the fact that it was Europe played a small role in the decision."

After winning by penalty, Deguchi made a meaningful remark following the awards ceremony. When asked about her thoughts on the penalty decision, she replied, "That's a difficult question." She added, "I don't exactly remember the situation, so I have nothing to say about the final penalty," but also said, "I think there are things we need to change for better judo."

Netizens expressed outrage over Heo Mimi's 'unjust defeat.' Immediately after the match, various online communities and social media platforms were flooded with comments such as "Stolen gold medal," "Give us the gold medal," "This happens every Olympics, I really can't watch," and "I'm so upset I can't focus on work."

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