[파리올림픽] ‘Silver Medal’ Dedicated to Mother Who Passed Away… Park Hye-jeong Walks ‘Jang Mi-ran’s Path’

Weightlifter Park Hye-jeong expressed her joy after successfully lifting 131 kg during her third attempt in the women’s +81 kg weightlifting event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, held at Arena Paris Sud 6 in Paris, France on the 11th (local time). 2024.8.11 Paris = Olympic Photo Joint Press Corps / TAK

‘Post Jang Mi-ran’ Park Hye-jeong (21, Goyang City Hall) dedicated her hard-earned silver medal to her mother, who passed away this year. She also earned Korean weightlifting its first medal in eight years, following a medal-less performance in Tokyo three years ago.

Park Hye-jeong competed in the women’s 81kg+ weightlifting event at South Paris Arena 6 in Paris, France on the 11th, the final day of the 2024 Paris Olympics. She lifted 131 kg in the snatch, 168 kg in the clean and jerk, and achieved a total of 299 kg, a new Korean record, securing second place. The gold medal was awarded to Li Wenwen (China) with a total of 309 kg, while Emily Campbell (Great Britain) took home the bronze medal with a total of 288 kg.

Park Hye-jeong showcased her incredible strength by lifting the barbell over her head in one go, setting a personal best and a new Korean record. She easily lifted 123 kg in her first attempt and 127 kg in her second attempt. In her third attempt, she aimed for 131 kg, which was 1 kg heavier than the Korean record. Although she couldn’t lift the weight in one go like her previous attempts, she stood up with it over her head.

The clean and jerk, which requires lifting the barbell from the chest to overhead, is an event where Park Hye-jeong excels more than in the snatch. She also holds the Korean clean and jerk record in this weight class (170 kg). Having lifted 163 kg with ease in her first attempt, Park Hye-jeong confidently lifted 168 kg in her second attempt. Lee Wenwen succeeded with 173 kg in her second attempt, increasing the lead between the two athletes to 10 kg. Acknowledging this gap, Park Hye-jeong attempted her personal best of 173 kg in her final attempt but unfortunately dropped the barbell for the first time that day.

Since her third year of middle school, Park Hye-jeong has been referred to as the ‘second Jang Mi-ran’ and quickly ascended to the status of a world-class athlete competing at major international events. Despite Li Wenwen, the strongest competitor in this weight class, being unable to compete due to injury, Park Hye-jeong secured top rankings at the Hangzhou Asian Games and the World Championships last year, establishing herself among the best in the world.

Weightlifter Park Hye-jeong successfully lifted 131 kg in the third round of the snatch during the women’s +81 kg weightlifting event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which took place at Arena Paris Sud 6 in Paris, France on the 11th (local time). 2024.8.11 Paris = Olympic Photo Joint Press Corps / TAK

Park Hye-jeong is truly following the legacy of legendary Korean weightlifter Jang Mi-ran. Jang Mi-ran, now the 2nd Vice Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, won silver in Athens in 2004, gold in Beijing in 2008, and bronze in London in 2012 during her competitive career. Park Hye-jeong has become the first female weightlifter in the heaviest weight class to win an Olympic medal in 12 years since Vice Minister Jang, and like her, Park secured a silver medal in her first Olympic appearance.

Park Hye-jeong did not set unattainable goals for this competition, where the women’s heavyweight world record holder, Li Wenwen, was a formidable presence. Her objective was to step onto the podium in Paris while aiming for the top position in LA four years later. Everything is progressing as planned.

For Park Hye-jeong, this Olympics was a tribute to her mother, who passed away in April after battling cancer. Immediately after her mother’s funeral, she flew to Thailand to participate in a qualifying competition for the Olympics. Amidst her struggles, she secured her spot in Paris and earned a silver medal on the grand stage of the Olympics.

Weightlifter Park Hye-jeong smiles brightly while wearing her silver medal around her neck at the awards ceremony after finishing second in the women’s +81 kg weightlifting class at the 2024 Paris Olympics, held at Arena Paris Sud 6 in Paris, France on the 11th (local time). 2024.8.11 Paris = Olympic Photo Joint Press Corps / TAK

After the awards ceremony, Park Hye-jeong, speaking to reporters, said, “I honestly felt a burden when I realized I would be the last athlete from the Korean team to win a medal, but I am incredibly happy and thrilled to have achieved this.”

She maintained a bright expression throughout the event, but on the podium, tears filled her eyes as she thought of her mother. Park Hye-jeong shared, “Honestly, I tried not to think about my mother, but she crossed my mind from time to time during the warm-up. I became emotional when I put the silver medal around my neck on the podium.” She continued, “Even now, whenever I think about my mother, I cry, but I must remain strong. I want to return to Korea and show my mother my medal.”

Park Hye-jeong closed the gap with Li Wenwen, who is renowned as the top competitor in the heavyweight division at the Paris Olympics. She remarked, “Lee Wenwen’s body seems to be in poor condition,” and expressed confidence in her ability to compete with her in four years. “In LA, I aim to elevate national pride.”

The following day, she plans to enjoy some relaxation time with her father and older sister. Park Hye-jeong, who expressed her gratitude to her family for filling the void left by her mother, smiled brightly and said, “We promised to go eat escargot, a French specialty.”

Park Hye-jeong: A Silver Medal Journey at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Weightlifter Park Hye-jeong made headlines at the 2024 Paris Olympics, earning a silver medal in the women’s +81 kg weightlifting event. Competing at the South Paris Arena on August 11, she lifted an impressive total of 299 kg, setting a new Korean record and making her country proud after an eight-year medal drought in Olympic weightlifting.

Performance Breakdown

Park achieved remarkable success during her Olympic journey:

• Snatch: 131 kg in her third attempt
• Clean and Jerk: 168 kg
• Total Lift: 299 kg (New Korean Record)

Meeting and Overcoming Challenges

This competition held significant personal weight for Park Hye-jeong as she dedicated her medal to her late mother, who passed away earlier this year. Despite the emotional toll, she managed to excel under pressure, following a path paved by established champions like Jang Mi-ran.

Competition Highlights

Park began her snatch with an easy lift of 123 kg, followed by a successful 127 kg, setting her up for the 131 kg attempt – a feat that would break the Korean record.

Although she struggled with the heavier weight initially, Park managed to secure the lift, asserting her status as a top contender in women’s weightlifting.

Comparison with Opponents

The ultimate competition was against Li Wenwen from China, who took home the gold with a total lift of 309 kg. Park’s fellow competitor, Emily Campbell from Great Britain, finished with the bronze medal at 288 kg. Despite the fierce competition, Park displayed exceptional skill that set her apart.

A Role Model in the Weightlifting Community

Being dubbed as the “second Jang Mi-ran” signifies Park’s rapid rise in the world of weightlifting. Jang Mi-ran’s legacy, including her own Olympic successes, provides a strong foundation to inspire Park’s ambition.

The Press Conference Moments

In the aftermath of the competition, Park expressed her happiness and satisfaction despite feeling the pressure of being the final athlete representing Korea to win a medal. During her moments on the podium, she reflected on her mother’s memory, a sentiment that deeply affected her performance.

Looking Forward: Goals and Aspirations

With an eye toward the future, Park has expressed her intention to strive for higher achievements, setting her sights on competing for gold in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Her confidence stems from the progress made since participating in the Tokyo Olympics, where Korea failed to secure any medals in weightlifting.

Park Hye-jeong’s Personal Background

Park has faced numerous obstacles throughout her journey. After the loss of her mother in April, she returned to the sport quickly, showcasing her dedication and commitment. Her resilience speaks to her character and determination to honor her mother’s memory by excelling in her sport.

Park’s Mark on the Weightlifting World

As the first female Olympic medalist from Korea in the heaviest weight class since Jang Mi-ran, Park’s achievements are monumental. Her aspirations for the future are aligned not only with personal goals but also the desire to uplift the sport of weightlifting in Korea.

Upcoming Events and Community Impact

Park plans to participate in various weightlifting events to further her skills, along with community engagements to inspire younger athletes. By fostering interest in weightlifting, she contributes to the growth of the sport in her country.

Conclusion

The journey of Park Hye-jeong is one of perseverance and achievement. With her sights set on future Olympic success, she continues to inspire many through her dedication to weightlifting and her emotional connection to her family. Her story is a reflection of hard work, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of athletes everywhere.