Lee Ju-ho, a judoka on the staff run by the Korea Deposit Insurance coverage Corp. (KDIC), received a bronze medal on the 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics on Nov. 16. The 20-year-old, competing on the worldwide stage for the primary time in opposition to a sequence of sturdy opponents, stated, “Not giving up till the very finish was the important thing to victory.”
The Deaflympics is an Olympic-level worldwide competitors for athletes with listening to impairments, organized by the Worldwide Committee of Sports activities for the Deaf. The 2025 Tokyo Deaflympics, which commenced Nov. 15, marks the a hundredth anniversary of the occasion and options competitions in 21 sports activities via Nov. 26.
In an interview with The Korea Instances after returning dwelling, Lee cited the repechage — a sort of comfort bracket — and the bronze medal match as essentially the most memorable moments of the competitors.
“Successful within the spherical of 16 however then shedding to an Iranian opponent within the quarterfinals was powerful to simply accept,” he stated. “Nonetheless, with the repechage forward, I centered on regaining my composure and concentrating absolutely. As soon as I made it via the repechage, I reminded myself that I needed to give all the things I had within the bronze medal match.”
Lee recalled that the German opponent he confronted within the bronze medal match was a lot stronger than anticipated, making it tough even to get a grip on his uniform.
“At that time, I might solely assume that shedding right here can be the top. I pushed myself till I had nothing left, decided to not be defeated,” he stated. “Throughout additional time, I drew energy from remembering the help of Director Lee Sang-jin of the Seoul Judo Federation for the Disabled, my teammates and workers at KDIC, and above all, my dad and mom cheering me on. That help helped me persevere, and I in the end refused to surrender and secured the bronze medal.”
Lee Ju-ho of the judo staff run by Korea Deposit Insurance coverage Corp. (KDIC) / Courtesy of KDIC
Lee’s rise to the worldwide stage as a deaf athlete was constructed on rigorous bodily conditioning and technical preparation.
“I’ve by no means been significantly sturdy, so bettering my stamina was important to compete in opposition to extra highly effective worldwide opponents,” he stated.
He centered on constructing endurance via working and energy coaching, whereas additionally finding out methods to outmaneuver stronger rivals. He famous, “Endurance and focus had been key, particularly to grab the second in additional time when my opponent started to tire.”
After making his mark on the worldwide stage with a bronze medal, Lee is now aiming for even greater achievements. “This medal is barely the start,” he stated, expressing his purpose of upgrading his medal on the subsequent Deaflympics.
He additionally hopes to contribute to the expansion of judo for athletes with disabilities.
“I wish to encourage deaf athletes who’re simply beginning out, sharing my experiences from worldwide competitions to information them. I wish to present that incapacity is just not a limitation, and that with effort, anybody can compete on the world degree,” he added.
KDIC has operated a judo staff in partnership with the Korea Employment Company for Individuals with Disabilities and the Seoul Para Sports activities Affiliation since 2023, using seven athletes with visible and listening to impairments and offering proactive help.
The state-run firm stated that Lee’s medal represents a significant milestone simply two years after the staff’s founding.
KDIC Chairman and President Yoo Jae-hoon stated, “We’ll proceed to supply sturdy backing and foster younger expertise, aiming to ascertain KDIC as a hub for the event of judo for athletes with disabilities.”
