Jang Se-yun (KH Feelux), South Korea's leading lightweight in women's judo, won a hard-earned silver medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. It is the country's first judo medal of these Games.
Jang lost on a penalty to Shakhzoda Kadambayeva of Uzbekistan after a tight golden-score extension in the women's 52-kilogram final at Aichi International Arena in Nagoya, Japan, on the 30th.
In the round of 16, Jang threw Kazakhstan's Sabira Kozhomberdiyeva for an ippon in just 16 seconds to advance to the quarterfinals.
In the quarterfinals, she traded two penalties each with Xu Xiaoyu of China in a fiercely contested regulation period. Facing elimination by penalty, she landed a sudden technique with 46 seconds left to secure another ippon.
In the semifinals, she pressed the attack relentlessly against Kokoro Fujishiro of Japan, who had the advantage of the home mat, and won on a penalty in the extension.
Jang confirmed her international credentials by winning the 2025 Rhine-Ruhr Summer World University Games in July 2025. She then came through the national team trials to earn her place in the women's 52-kilogram division at these Games. Competing in her first Asian Games, she showcased her full range of skills and came away with a medal.
Sport climbing also produced its first medal for the Korean team at these Games. Lee Do-hyun finished the men's boulder final on the same day with 49.7 points, taking second place behind winner Sorato Anraku of Japan, who scored 74.5. Lee wobbled with a scoreless first problem but fought back with 24.9 points on the second and 24.8 on the third for a dramatic silver. It is his second straight silver medal, following the combined event at the 2023 Hangzhou Games. Lee competes in the lead event on Oct. 2, where he will look to redeem himself and make another bid for his first gold at these Games.
