Asian Games judo gold medalist Huh Mimi admitted she felt more nervous stepping onto the baseball mound for a KBO Korean Series ceremonial first pitch than she did competing on the international mat, calling the experience a completely different kind of pressure.
The 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korean Series Game 4 brought high-stakes drama to Daegu Samsung Lions Park on November 7, 2026, where the KT Wiz and Samsung Lions faced off. Before the first pitch was thrown, Huh stepped onto the field wearing a Korean Series jacket to handle ceremonial pitching duties, delivering a clean, no-bounce strike straight into the glove of Samsung catcher Kim Do-hwan before exiting with her signature smile.
Huh Embraces South Korean Heritage to Compete Internationally
Xportsnews reported that Huh carries a unique personal and athletic background as a Zainichi Korean athlete. Born to a Korean father and a Japanese mother, she chose South Korean citizenship in 2021 following the dying wish of her grandmother, a former executive of the Korean Residents Union in Japan who wanted to see her compete under the South Korean flag. Her lineage runs even deeper as the 5th-generation descendant of independence activist Huh Seok.
That competitive spirit translated directly to the international stage. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Huh fought her way to the final of the women’s 57kg division, securing a hard-earned silver medal after a controversial penalty loss, followed by a bronze medal in the mixed team event. Most recently, she triumphed at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, capturing the women’s 57kg gold medal.
Confronting Baseball’s Postseason Pressure
Despite her extensive résumé on world judo stages, Huh expressed genuine awe for the players contesting the championship series. Observing the atmosphere at the ballpark, she noted that the environment differed entirely from international combat sports, prompting her to marvel at how calm the players must remain under such immense spotlight.
Reflecting on her recent competitive stretch, Huh shared that life has stayed busy since the Asian Games concluded. True to tradition, she once again visited the gravesite of her ancestor Huh Seok after securing gold, noting that the visit brought back memories of her Olympic campaign. While Paris yielded silver and bronze, the journey to the gravesite with a gold medal provided a satisfying conclusion to her latest major tournament.
Knee Rehabilitation and the Road to Los Angeles 2028
The path to Asian Games gold was far from smooth, as Huh battled through a knee injury sustained right before the competition. Looking ahead to the winter training block, she emphasized that addressing her physical ailments remains the top priority. International competition schedules will ramp up significantly next year with roughly one global event per month.
Her ranking slipped from world number one down to 27th due to limited match appearances stemming from her knee issues. To rebuild her ranking ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, she plans to re-enter the international circuit steadily. Achieving that goal hinges entirely on her physical recovery.
On the domestic front, Huh is preparing for a major career transition, moving away from the Gyeongbuk Sports Council to join the Namyangju City Hall team next year.
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