Junko Hirose defeated Uzbekistan’s Kumushkhon Khodjaeva in the final of the women’s 57 kilogram J2 class on Friday during the Paralympic Games in Paris.
15:35 JST, September 7, 2024
PARIS ― Judoka Junko Hirose has finally won a gold medal at her third Paralympic Games.
The 33-year-old defeated Uzbekistan’s Kumushkhon Khodjaeva by ippon in the final of the women’s 57-kilogram J2 class, a category for athletes with partial visual impairment, on Friday. It was the first time a Japanese judoka had topped the podium at the Paralympic Games.
“I was full of nerves, so I’m excited about this moment,” Hirose said after the final. “I’m happy that I participated in a competition that I don’t regret.”
After winning the bronze medal at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, Hirose finished fifth at the 2021 Games in Tokyo, where she lost in a bronze medal match.
As time passed, the feeling of regret grew in her mind and Hirose couldn’t help but reflect on her bronze medal match, thinking of what she could have done to prevent the loss. The feeling became the driving force behind her pursuit of a third Paralympic appearance.
Hirose spent the three years leading up to Paris increasing the variety of her techniques. Her goal was to avoid relying too much on the shoulder throw, which is her specialty. These efforts paid off in Paris, where she won the final with a body drop throw.
Hirose focused all her energy on judo as she approached 30. She said it was a long road to qualify for the Paris Games.
After winning the final, Hirose expressed her gratitude to the people around her, including her husband Haruka, who served as her coach. “I have been able to work hard to get to this point thanks to the help of many people,” Hirose said. “I have won this gold medal thanks to the support of everyone.”
