lee Jung-hwan Claims Gold, Defeats Judo Superstar Nagase Takanori
astana, kazakhstan—lee Jung-hwan, a 23-year-old judoka representing pohang city hall, secured a stunning victory at the international judo federation (ijf) grand slam kazakhstan tournament. the world no. 6 defeated japan’s nagase takanori, a 32-year-old judo icon ranked no. 8, in the men’s 81kg class final.
the Golden Score Victory
the final match, held on may 10 (japan time) in astana, culminated in a golden score victory for lee after 5 minutes and 1 second of overtime.This win marks a significant milestone for lee, solidifying his position among the elite in international judo.
nagase Takanori: A Decade of Dominance
nagase takanori is a household name in judo, having dominated the 81kg class for the past decade. his accolades include gold medals at the 2016 rio de janeiro olympics, the 2020 tokyo olympics, and the 2024 paris olympics. Japanese media affectionately refers to nagase as the olympic prince.
a Budding Rivalry: Lee’s Ascendancy
lee jung-hwan’s victory is not an isolated incident. He has consistently challenged nagase’s dominance, marking the beginning of an exciting rivalry.
- 2022 Grand Slam Ulaanbaatar: lee defeated nagase,advancing to and winning the championship.
- 2023 Qatar World Championships: lee secured a bronze medal,defeating nagase in the quarterfinals.
with this latest win, lee now holds a 3-0 record against nagase, establishing himself as a formidable opponent and a natural enemy.
lee Jung-hwan’s Perspective
in a phone interview on may 11, lee jung-hwan shared his thoughts on the victory:
i’m happy that i was able to beat the most talented athlete in the world and win the championship. I’m proud that i’ve protected the pride of korean judo.
lee Jung-hwan
he also addressed past challenges and his current form, stating, last year, i was injured a lot of things in the shoulders, arms, and fingers, but this year i was able to demonstrate my abilities without any problems.
This victory marks lee’s second consecutive international championship as returning from injury, following his win at the asian championships in thailand last month.
lee Jung-soo: A “Japanese Killer”
lee jung-soo is gaining recognition as one of the few japanese killers
in korean judo. This reputation stems from his meticulous research and preparation.
lee explained his preparation:
i looked at footage of nagase’s matches for about two or three hours a day, studying them. I practiced unusual carrying and small-sized hangings for the match against nagase.
lee Jung-sek
the korean carry,
a technique lee showcased, was initially banned at the paris olympics but has since been re-approved.
rigorous Training and Team Support
lee’s training regimen includes practicing back-throwing techniques hundreds of times daily with national team coach huang hee-tai. he emphasizes the importance of preparation, stating, if you study your opponent and practice thoroughly, there’s nothing to be scared of.
lee jung-soo (born 2002) noted the positive changes in the training surroundings:
in the past, thay would hold back even if it hurts, but now there’s an atmosphere where the national team and the judo club are actively supporting them to restore their condition with proper rest and treatment. It’s easier for mz generation players to adapt to the tough life of the athletes’ village.
lee Jung-soo
frequently Asked Questions (faq)
- who is lee jung-hwan? a korean judoka who recently won gold at the ijf grand slam kazakhstan tournament.
- who is nagase takanori? a japanese judo superstar and olympic gold medalist.
- what was the final score? lee won by golden score (overtime) after 5 minutes and 1 second.
- what is lee’s record against nagase? lee has won all three of their matches.
