1. Overview
Kim Min-jeong (김민정Kim Min-jeongKorean, 金珉程Kim Min-jeongJapanese) is a prominent South Korean judoka who competes primarily in the heavyweight +78 kg category. She was also known by her alternative name, Kim Eun-kyeong (김은경Kim Eun-kyeongKorean), throughout her early career. She has achieved significant success in international judo, becoming a leading figure in her weight class and for South Korean judo.
2. Early Life and Background
Kim Min-jeong was born on August 8, 1988. She stands at 5.9 ft (1.79 m) tall and weighs 209 lb (95 kg). Throughout her early career, she was also known by the name Kim Eun-kyeong (김은경Kim Eun-kyeongKorean), and in Japanese sources, as キム・ウンギョンKim Eun-kyeongJapanese.
3. Career
Kim Min-jeong's career as a judoka spans over a decade, during which she has consistently performed at the elite level in numerous international competitions, earning multiple medals and achieving significant milestones.
3.1. Early Career and Rise
Kim Min-jeong began making her mark on the international judo scene around 2013. That year, she secured a third-place finish at the Grand Slam Paris and reached seventh place at the World Championships. She also earned a gold medal at the Grand Prix Jeju. In 2014, she achieved victories at the Grand Slam Baku and the Grand Prix Ulaanbaatar. During the Asian Games held in her home country, she earned a bronze medal in the individual competition and a silver medal as part of the team event.
Her strong performances continued into 2015, where she secured a second-place finish at the Asian Championships and the Summer Universiade. She clinched a gold medal at the Grand Prix Tashkent, defeating China's Ma Shishi in the final. Additionally, she took third place at both the Grand Prix Qingdao and the Grand Prix Jeju. In 2016, she continued her ascent, winning the Asian Championships and earning a bronze medal at the Grand Prix Düsseldorf.
3.2. Major International Achievements
Kim Min-jeong has a distinguished record of medal wins at major international judo tournaments. Her achievements include:
| Competition | Year | Event | Medal |
|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships | |||
| 2017 Budapest | 2017 | +78 kg | Bronze |
| Asian Games | |||
| 2014 Incheon | 2014 | Women's team | Silver |
| 2014 Incheon | 2014 | +78 kg | Bronze |
| 2018 Jakarta | 2018 | +78 kg | Silver |
| Asian Championships | |||
| 2016 Tashkent | 2016 | +78 kg | Gold |
| 2019 Fujairah | 2019 | +78 kg | Gold |
| 2015 Kuwait City | 2015 | +78 kg | Silver |
| 2017 Hong Kong | 2017 | +78 kg | Silver |
| World Masters | |||
| 2017 Saint Petersburg | 2017 | +78 kg | Gold |
| IJF Grand Slam | |||
| 2014 Baku | 2014 | +78 kg | Gold |
| 2018 Paris | 2018 | +78 kg | Gold |
| 2013 Paris | 2013 | +78 kg | Bronze |
| 2017 Paris | 2017 | +78 kg | Bronze |
| 2017 Tokyo | 2017 | +78 kg | Bronze |
| 2019 Paris | 2019 | +78 kg | Bronze |
| IJF Grand Prix | |||
| 2013 Jeju | 2013 | +78 kg | Gold |
| 2014 Ulaanbaatar | 2014 | +78 kg | Gold |
| 2015 Tashkent | 2015 | +78 kg | Gold |
| 2018 Hohhot | 2018 | +78 kg | Silver |
| 2015 Qingdao | 2015 | +78 kg | Bronze |
| 2015 Jeju | 2015 | +78 kg | Bronze |
| 2016 Düsseldorf | 2016 | +78 kg | Bronze |
| Summer Universiade | |||
| 2013 Kazan | 2013 | Women's team | Gold |
| 2015 Gwangju | 2015 | +78 kg | Silver |
| European Open / Cup | |||
| 2017 Oberwart | 2017 | +78 kg | Gold |
| 2017 Malaga | 2017 | +78 kg | Gold |
3.3. Olympic Performance
Kim Min-jeong represented South Korea at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Competing in the women's +78 kg category, she reached the quarterfinals, where she was defeated by Idalys Ortiz of Cuba. She then advanced to the bronze medal match through the repechage round, but ultimately lost to Yu Song of China, finishing in fifth place overall.
3.4. Career Milestones and Records
One of Kim Min-jeong's most significant achievements was becoming the first Korean female judoka to reach the world No. 1 ranking in her weight class. This milestone was accomplished after her victory at the 2017 World Masters in Saint Petersburg. This accomplishment solidified her standing as a dominant force in international women's judo.
3.5. Team Affiliations
Since 2016 and as of the present, Kim Min-jeong has been affiliated with the Korea Racing Authority (한국마사회 렛츠런 유도단Korea Racing Authority LetsRun Judo TeamKorean), serving as a competitive athlete in the +78 kg division.
4. Overall Assessment and Legacy
Kim Min-jeong has established herself as a formidable and consistent presence in the world of judo. Her numerous medal wins across various international competitions, including the World Championships, Asian Games, and Asian Championships, demonstrate her sustained excellence. Her pioneering achievement of becoming the first Korean female judoka to reach the world No. 1 ranking highlights her significant impact on the sport and her nation's judo history. She is regarded as a key figure in South Korean judo, inspiring future generations with her dedication and achievements in the heavyweight category.