Korean Judo Duo Secures Historic Gold at Deaflympics, Sparks Calls for Junior Progress
TOKYO – Hong Eun-mi and Jeong Sook-hwa, celebrated as the ‘Wang Sisters’ of Korean deaf judo, delivered a golden triumph at the recent Deaflympics in Tokyo, securing the nation’s first gold medals of the tournament. Their victories not only add to a legacy of athletic excellence but also highlight a critical need for investment in the next generation of Korean para-athletes.
The pair’s success underscores Korea’s continued strength in deaf judo, while together revealing a concerning trend of dwindling youth participation in disabled sports.As the ‘Wang Sisters’ approach the later stages of their careers, the future of the program hinges on cultivating new talent capable of carrying the torch and maintaining Korea’s competitive edge on the international stage.
Hong Eun-mi, a legend in women’s deaf judo, continued her remarkable Deaflympics career with a gold medal in Tokyo. Her journey began with a gold in the women’s 70kg class at the 2009 Taipei De Olympic Games in Taiwan. She then dominated the 2013 Sofia Games in Bulgaria, winning gold in both the 70kg and unlimited weight classes. After securing silver and bronze at the 2017 Samsun De Olympic Games in Turkey, Hong claimed gold again at the 2021 Caxias do Sul Games in Brazil, following a weight class shift to 78kg. “I can only think of my family who supported me so much,” Hong expressed, also acknowledging the encouragement from her colleagues at Ansan.
Jeong Sook-hwa’s victory marks a long-awaited breakthrough. Participating in her fifth Deaflympics, beginning with the 2009 Taipei Games, she had previously earned one silver and two bronze medals. “I trained really hard for four years. I really wanted to win a gold medal this time, and I’m really happy that I achieved that goal this time,” Jeong said, finally realizing her ambition in tokyo.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the ’Wang sisters’ achievements,concerns are growing about the future of Korean deaf judo. Observers point to a decline in young athletes entering disabled sports, creating a potential gap in talent and hindering the ability of future generations to surpass their predecessors.
