1. Early Life and Background
Jeong Gyeong-mi's early life and educational journey laid the foundation for her distinguished career in judo.
1.1. Birth and Early Life
Jeong Gyeong-mi was born on July 26, 1985, in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea.
1.2. Education
Her formal education included attendance at Mujang Elementary School, Yeongseon Middle School, and Jeonbuk Artificial Intelligence High School.
2. Judo Career
Jeong Gyeong-mi's judo career spanned over a decade, marked by numerous international accolades and a consistent presence on the global stage. Her competitive journey began with early successes, leading to major medal-winning performances at the highest levels of the sport.
2.1. Early Career
Jeong Gyeong-mi secured her first international gold medal in 2006 at the 18th World University Judo Championship held in Suwon, South Korea. This early victory set the stage for her subsequent achievements in major international tournaments.
2.2. Major Competition Results
Jeong Gyeong-mi achieved significant success across various major international judo tournaments, consistently earning medals and establishing herself as a top competitor in the -78 kg category.
2.2.1. Olympic Games
Jeong Gyeong-mi competed in the Olympic Games, notably securing a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. In the bronze medal match of the women's -78 kg category, she defeated Edinanci Silva of Brazil by kami-shiho-gatame. In the semi-finals, she had been defeated by Yalennis Castillo of Cuba by shido. She also participated in the 2012 London Olympics, where she was defeated by Akari Ogata in her first match.
2.2.2. World Championships
At the World Judo Championships, Jeong Gyeong-mi earned a bronze medal in the -78 kg category at the 2007 World Judo Championships in Rio de Janeiro. In the bronze medal contest, she defeated Yang Xiuli of China by waza-ari. Her semi-final match saw her lose to Yurisel Laborde of Cuba by shido.
2.2.3. Asian Games
Jeong Gyeong-mi demonstrated her dominance in the Asian Games, winning consecutive gold medals. She secured her first gold at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, in the -78 kg division. She successfully defended her title at the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea, defeating Seol Gyeong of North Korea by shido in the final match.
2.2.4. Other International Competitions
Jeong Gyeong-mi's competitive record also includes numerous medals and strong performances at a variety of other international judo events. Her consistent presence on the podium highlights her enduring skill and dedication throughout her career.
| Year | Competition | Result | Weight Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | World Junior Championships | 5th | -78 kg |
| 2003 | Asian Junior Championships | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2004 | World Cup Suwon | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2005 | Asian Championships | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2005 | Pan-Pacific Judo Championships | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2005 | World Cup Suwon | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2005 | Fukuoka International | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2006 | World Cup Budapest | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2006 | East Asian Championships | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2006 | World University Championships | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2008 | Asian Championships | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2008 | World Cup Suwon | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2008 | Grand Slam Tokyo | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2009 | Asian Championships | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2009 | Summer Universiade | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2009 | World Cup Ulaanbaatar | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2009 | World Cup Suwon | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2010 | World Masters | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2010 | East Asian Championships | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2010 | World Cup Tashkent | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2010 | World Cup Suwon | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2011 | Asian Championships | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2011 | Summer Universiade | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2011 | World Cup Ulaanbaatar | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2011 | World Cup Tashkent | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2011 | Grand Prix Abu Dhabi | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2011 | World Cup Suwon | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2011 | Grand Prix Qingdao | 5th | -78 kg |
| 2012 | World Masters | 5th | -78 kg |
| 2012 | World Cup Sofia | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2012 | Grand Prix Düsseldorf | 5th | -78 kg |
| 2012 | World Cup Warsaw | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2012 | Asian Championships | Bronze | -78 kg |
| 2013 | European Open Oberwart | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2013 | Asian Championships | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2013 | Grand Slam Tokyo | Silver | -78 kg |
| 2013 | Grand Prix Jeju | Gold | -78 kg |
| 2014 | Oceania Open Wollongong | Gold | -78 kg |
3. Retirement and Later Career
After a successful career as a judoka, Jeong Gyeong-mi transitioned from professional sports. In June 2015, she successfully passed a special recruitment examination for martial arts, specifically judo, and was subsequently appointed as a police officer in South Korea, embarking on a new path in public service.
4. Assessment and Impact
Jeong Gyeong-mi's career left a significant mark on South Korean judo, characterized by her consistent performance and numerous achievements at the highest levels of the sport.
4.1. Positive Assessment
Jeong Gyeong-mi is highly regarded for her contributions to South Korean judo. Her bronze medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2007 World Judo Championships highlight her status as a world-class athlete. Furthermore, her back-to-back gold medals at the 2010 Asian Games and 2014 Asian Games underscore her dominance in the Asian region. Her consistent medal-winning performances across various Grand Slams, Grand Prix, and Asian Championships cemented her legacy as one of South Korea's most accomplished judokas in the -78 kg category.