Kim Jonghoon on Feb. 2 celebrates after upsetting Luca Maisuradze of Georgia in the men’s 90-kg final at the International Judo Federation’s (IJF) Paris Grand Slam in the French capital. (IJF)
By Park Hye Ri
Photos = International Judo Federation
Kim Jonghoon has shocked the world by winning a gold medal at the Paris Grand Slam of the International Judo Federation (IJF).
In the French capital, Kim on Feb. 2 defeated Georgia’s Luka Maisuradze, the 2023 world champion, in the men’s 90-kg final via ippon in overtime.
Kim advanced to the gold medal match by beating Maxime-Gael Ngayap Hambou of France, the bronze medalist at last year’s Paris Summer Olympics, in the semifinals. The Korean went on to defeat Maisuradze with a seoi-otoshi (shoulder drop) 43 seconds into the extra session.
This is Kim’s first medal at a major tournament abroad, as he previously failed to place in the top three at global competitions such as the Olympics, world championships and the Grand Slam.
“Jonghoon Kim was 111th on the World Ranking List prior to Paris, having never won a grand slam medal before,” the IJF said. “That ranking is about to change.”
Also in the tournament, Lee Seungyeop (men’s 100 kg) and Lee Hyeonji (women’s 78 kg) on the same day each won a silver.
Kim Jonghoon (second from left) on Feb. 2 shows off his gold medal for winning the men’s 90-kg title at the IJF Paris Grand Slam in the French capital, with fellow medalists in his division.
hrhr@korea.kr
