1. Overview
Park Hye-jeong (박혜정Park Hye-jeongKorean) is a prominent South Korean competitive weightlifting athlete, recognized for her significant achievements in the heaviest weight classes. Often referred to as a "Jang Mi-ran Kid," she draws inspiration from the legendary South Korean weightlifter Jang Mi-ran, and has herself ascended to become a leading figure in the sport. Her career highlights include gold medals at the World Weightlifting Championships and the Asian Games, culminating in a silver medal and a new national record at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
2. Early Life and Introduction to Weightlifting
Park Hye-jeong was born on March 12, 2003, in Ansan, South Korea. Her interest in weightlifting was ignited in her sixth year of elementary school after she watched videos of Jang Mi-ran's competitions on YouTube. Inspired by Jang Mi-ran's prowess, she began her journey in the sport following encouragement from her uncle.
2.1. Early Development and Training
Park Hye-jeong officially commenced her weightlifting career in her first year at Seonbu Middle School. Her talent quickly became apparent, leading to her selection for the South Korean youth national team in 2019.
3. Junior and Youth Career
Park Hye-jeong rapidly distinguished herself in international competitions as a member of the South Korean youth and junior national weightlifting teams.
3.1. Asian Youth Championships
In October 2019, Park Hye-jeong participated in the Asian Youth Weightlifting Championships held in Pyongyang, North Korea. At this competition, she set new youth records by lifting 243 lb (110 kg) in the snatch, 320 lb (145 kg) in the clean and jerk, and a total of 562 lb (255 kg). Her performance secured her the gold medal, overcoming competitors such as Aysamal Sansizbayeva of Kazakhstan and Tang Zhiji of Chinese Taipei.
3.2. Junior World and Asian Championships
Park Hye-jeong continued her success as she was selected for the 2022 junior national team. In May, she competed at the 2022 Junior World Weightlifting Championships in Heraklion, Greece, where she earned gold medals with a 265 lb (120 kg) snatch and a 355 lb (161 kg) clean and jerk, achieving a total of 619 lb (281 kg). She defeated her teammate Kim Hyo-eon and Sansizbayeva in this event. In July of the same year, she competed at the 2022 Asian Junior Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. There, she secured gold medals with a 254 lb (115 kg) snatch, 342 lb (155 kg) clean and jerk, and a 595 lb (270 kg) total, once again outperforming Sansizbayeva and Trần Thị Hiền of Vietnam.
4. Senior Career
Park Hye-jeong's transition to the senior national team marked a new phase of her career, bringing her face-to-face with the sport's elite.
4.1. Senior Debut and Early Performances
In December 2022, Park Hye-jeong was selected for the senior national team and qualified for the 2022 World Weightlifting Championships held in Bogotá, Colombia. In her debut at this senior-level event, she ranked 8th overall, lifting 262 lb (119 kg) in the snatch, 342 lb (155 kg) in the clean and jerk, and a total of 604 lb (274 kg). The following year, in May 2023, she competed at the 2023 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Jinju, South Korea. She earned silver medals with a 280 lb (127 kg) snatch, a 370 lb (168 kg) clean and jerk, and a total of 650 lb (295 kg), placing behind Li Wenwen of China.
4.2. World Championships and Asian Games Achievements
In September 2023, Park Hye-jeong achieved a significant milestone at the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She secured first place in both the snatch (271 lb (123 kg)) and the clean and jerk (364 lb (165 kg)), achieving a total of 637 lb (289 kg). This dominant performance saw her defeat competitors such as Mary Theisen-Lappen of the United States and Lisseth Ayoví of Ecuador, and notably secured her qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Following her World Championships victory, in October 2023, she competed at the 2022 Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China (which had been postponed from 2022). With the absence of Li Wenwen, Park Hye-jeong delivered another gold medal performance, lifting 276 lb (125 kg) in the snatch, 373 lb (169 kg) in the clean and jerk, and a total of 648 lb (294 kg). She triumphed over her teammate Son Young-hee and Duangaksorn Chaidee of Thailand. This victory marked a historic moment for South Korean weightlifting, as it was the first Asian Games gold medal in the sport in 13 years, following Jang Mi-ran's win at the 2010 Asian Games. Her clean and jerk record at this event also tied that of Son Young-hee. Duangaksorn Chaidee would later compete alongside Park at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
5. Olympic Games Performance
Park Hye-jeong's journey culminated in her highly anticipated participation in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. Due to the formidable presence of China's Li Wenwen, Park was widely regarded as a strong contender for a silver medal even before the competition.
On August 11, 2024, in the women's +81 kg event, Park Hye-jeong demonstrated exceptional strength and focus. She successfully lifted 289 lb (131 kg) in the snatch, setting a new personal record. She then achieved 370 lb (168 kg) in the clean and jerk, resulting in a total combined score of 659 lb (299 kg). This remarkable performance earned her the silver medal and established a new South Korean national record for lifting score in her weight class. The difference between her total and that of gold medalist Li Wenwen was a mere 22 lb (10 kg). Park shared the Olympic podium with Li Wenwen, who claimed the gold, and Emily Campbell of Great Britain, who took the bronze.
Following her Olympic success, Park Hye-jeong shared her reflections on Instagram, acknowledging the challenges and support she received: "There were a lot of things that happened in preparation for the Paris Olympics. Thanks to the staff of the Weightlifting Federation, the coach, and my loving family, I think I was able to get to this place by overcoming the hard things. . . Thanks to this Olympics, I think I gained strength that I never had thanks to the support and advice of many people and the loud cheers of those who came to the stadium."
Looking ahead, Park also expressed her clear aspirations for the future. In the same Instagram post, she stated her intent to compete in the next Olympic Games, writing: "I would like to ask you a lot of interest in Korean weightlifting from now on, and I will do my best to aim for a gold medal at the LA Olympics." This indicates her firm intention to pursue gold at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
6. Weightlifting Technique and Style
Park Hye-jeong's weightlifting technique is particularly distinctive among her female competitors. During the 2024 IWF World Cup in Thailand, which served as the final qualifying event for the Olympic Games, her clean and jerk skill garnered special attention. It was described as "a different technique that only she knows about," characterized by its "solid," "energetic," and "precise" execution.
7. Media Appearances and Public Profile
Beyond her athletic achievements, Park Hye-jeong has also gained public recognition through her appearances on popular South Korean reality television programs. In 2024, she was featured in episode #519 of I Live Alone (TV program), a long-running series known for showcasing the daily routines of celebrities. On the show, she offered viewers a glimpse into her life residing in an athlete's dorm, her intense training sessions alongside male weightlifting competitors, and her interactions with her coach. She also made appearances in episodes #263 and #264 of Boss in the Mirror, another widely watched Korean reality program.
8. Assessment and Future Prospects
Park Hye-jeong stands as a leading figure in contemporary South Korean weightlifting, embodying the legacy of Jang Mi-ran as a "Jang Mi-ran Kid" who has risen to prominence in the sport's heaviest divisions. Her consistent performance at the elite level, marked by a World Championships gold, an Asian Games gold, and an Olympic silver medal accompanied by a new national record, underscores her significant impact and talent. These achievements solidify her status as one of the most promising weightlifters of her generation. With her clearly stated ambition to compete and aim for a gold medal at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Park Hye-jeong's career trajectory suggests she will continue to be a dominant force in international weightlifting for years to come.
9. Major Competition Results
| Year | Venue | Weight | Snatch (kg) | Clean & Jerk (kg) | Total | Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | Rank | 1 | 2 | 3 | Rank | |||||
| Summer Olympics | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | Paris, France | +81 kg | 271 lb (123 kg) | 280 lb (127 kg) | 289 lb (131 kg) | - | 359 lb (163 kg) | 370 lb (168 kg) | 381 lb (173 kg) | - | 659 lb (299 kg) | - |
| World Championships | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | Bogotá, Colombia | +87 kg | 254 lb (115 kg) | 254 lb (115 kg) | 262 lb (119 kg) | 8 | 342 lb (155 kg) | 351 lb (159 kg) | 355 lb (161 kg) | 5 | 604 lb (274 kg) | 8 |
| 2023 | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | +87 kg | 265 lb (120 kg) | 273 lb (124 kg) | 289 lb (131 kg) | - | 348 lb (158 kg) | 348 lb (158 kg) | 364 lb (165 kg) | - | 637 lb (289 kg) | - |
| IWF World Cup | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | Phuket, Thailand | +87 kg | 271 lb (123 kg) | 282 lb (128 kg) | 287 lb (130 kg) | - | 366 lb (166 kg) | 373 lb (169 kg) | 377 lb (171 kg) | - | 653 lb (296 kg) | - |
| Asian Games | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | Hangzhou, China | +87 kg | 260 lb (118 kg) | 271 lb (123 kg) | 276 lb (125 kg) | - | 346 lb (157 kg) | 353 lb (160 kg) | 373 lb (169 kg) | - | 648 lb (294 kg) | - |
| Asian Championships | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | Jinju, South Korea | +87 kg | 260 lb (118 kg) | 276 lb (125 kg) | 280 lb (127 kg) | - | 348 lb (158 kg) | 364 lb (165 kg) | 370 lb (168 kg) | - | 650 lb (295 kg) | - |
| 2024 | Tashkent, Uzbekistan | +87 kg | 260 lb (118 kg) | 271 lb (123 kg) | 282 lb (128 kg) | - | 353 lb (160 kg) | 364 lb (165 kg) | 377 lb (171 kg) | - | 646 lb (293 kg) | - |