[Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games] MBC Day 13: All 5 Judo Athletes Win Medals, Women's Football Secures Bronze for the First Time in 8 Years

From the feat of all 5 judo athletes winning medals to women's football reaching the podium for the first time in 8 years! Following archery, MBC continues its streak of No. 1 viewership ratings for judo, women's football, taekwondo, and boxing! Join MBC and the 'Medal Song' for the medal-winning matches.

- Judo momentum is rising! All 5 participating athletes won medals! Lee Hyeon-ji and Kim Min-ju won silver, while Kim Jong-hoon, Han Ju-yeop, and Kim Min-jong won bronze.. MBC ranks No. 1 in judo viewership - Women's football defeats China 1-0 to claim bronze for the first time in 8 years! MBC 2054 ranks No. 1 in viewership - Boxing's Jang Dong-hwan and Kim Min-sung both win silver.. Taekwondo's An Hyang-sik and Gwak Min-ju also win bronze.. MBC ranks No. 1 in viewership - As expected, MBC is No. 1 for Asian Games broadcasts! On Day 13, MBC is No. 1 in both viewership and emotion!

On Friday, the 2nd, the 13th day of the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games, MBC vividly reported the intense medal competition of South Korean athletes in judo, women's football, boxing, and taekwondo. Notably, in judo, a rare record was made as all 5 participating athletes won medals without exception, and women's football also stood on the Asian Games podium for the first time in 8 years after defeating China. Furthermore, precious silver and bronze medal news continued in boxing and taekwondo, completing a heated day. Following its No. 1 viewership in all archery matches, MBC continued its streak of No. 1 viewership in the medal-winning matches for judo, women's football, boxing, and taekwondo.

According to data compiled by the viewership research agency Nielsen, MBC recorded No. 1 viewership for Kim Min-ju's judo final and the subsequent bronze medal match for Han Ju-yeop, with 2.1% for national households and 0.6% for the national 2054 demographic. In Lee Hyeon-ji's final, MBC recorded No. 1 viewership with 2.2% for national households and 0.7% for the national 2054 demographic, and in the bronze medal match for Kim Jong-hoon, it recorded No. 1 viewership with 2.1% for national households.

Additionally, in the women's football bronze medal match, MBC recorded No. 1 viewership for the metropolitan area 2054 demographic (0.4%), and in the finals for boxers Jang Dong-hwan and Kim Min-sung, who both won silver, it recorded No. 1 viewership for national households (2.2%), and in the bronze medal match for taekwondo's Gwak Min-ju, who took bronze, it recorded No. 1 viewership for national households (2.2%).

First, in judo, the 5 athletes who competed on Friday, the 2nd, all wore medals around their necks, creating a medal feast. In the women's +78kg category, Lee Hyeon-ji and Kim Min-ju both reached the final stage and won silver, while in the men's categories, Kim Jong-hoon (-90kg), Han Ju-yeop (-100kg), and Kim Min-jong (+100kg) overcame the disappointment of defeat to win precious bronze medals by winning their respective bronze medal matches.

Among them, the performance of 19-year-old world No. 4 Lee Hyeon-ji was particularly striking. Participating in her first Asian Games, Lee Hyeon-ji left a strong impression by scoring an ippon in just 5 seconds during the quarterfinals. MBC caster Seong Seung-heon shouted, "The moment the foot lightly brushes, an ippon made in 5 seconds," and commentator Cho Jun-ho could not hide his surprise, saying, "I've only heard about it, but athlete Lee Hyeon-ji is beyond imagination. She is overwhelming." Even in the final, Lee Hyeon-ji countered with game management based on thorough analysis of her opponent. Caster Seong Seung-heon evaluated it as "a perfect answer sheet regarding the opponent," and commentator Cho Jun-ho also praised her, saying, "Our Lee Hyeon-ji came after perfectly analyzing the opponent. There is no preparation more perfect than this." Although she narrowly missed the top spot at the final threshold, she fought to the end against her nemesis to win a precious silver medal.

In the women's -78kg category, Kim Min-ju also wore a silver medal after overcoming her struggle with injury. Although she narrowly lost due to a penalty (shido) after overtime, she showed a spirit of never giving up. Caster Seong Seung-heon offered warm consolation, saying, "You don't have to cry. The process of reaching the final was by no means easy, and you accomplished it after that difficult process," while commentator Cho Jun-hyeon sent warm encouragement, saying, "She prepared even while postponing surgery and fought well until the end. She just needs to recover well and prepare well for the team event."

In the men's division, a bronze medal storm continued. In the -90kg category, Kim Jong-hoon shook off the disappointment of his semifinal loss and achieved a clean ippon via nage-waza (throwing technique) in the bronze medal match. In the -100kg category, Han Ju-yeop also won a bronze medal through clever game management after overcoming a weight class change and an injury absence. Commentator Cho Jun-ho cheered for his future, saying, "It is a pleasant start in a new weight class." In the +100kg category, Kim Min-jong completed his bronze medal after a bloody battle in overtime in the bronze medal match following a repechage after losing in the quarterfinals. In particular, at Kim Min-jong's decisive ippon, caster Seong Seung-heon cheered, "A romantic ippon! This is Kim Min-jong's ippon!" and commentator Cho Jun-hyeon congratulated him, saying, "He fights until the very end and puts the bronze medal around his neck."

The emotion continued in women's football as well. South Korea scored the opening goal through a header by No Jin-yeong in just the 4th minute of the first half, and after defending against China's offensive until the end to secure the victory, they enjoyed the joy of reaching the podium for the first time in 8 years. The chemistry between MBC caster Kim Na-jin and commentator Seo Hyung-wook, who conveyed the heat of the scene through live broadcasting, also shone. Regarding No Jin-yeong, who scored the winning goal, commentator Seo Hyung-wook did not hold back his praise, saying, "She pushed the goal in calmly and accurately. She achieved her A-match debut goal in the most important match." He continued, "The clever defense that gave the opponent no counter-attack opportunities today was outstanding. The substitution cards hit the right spots at the right time," highlighting manager Shin Sang-ho's tactics and the players' fighting spirit. As the final whistle blew and the bronze medal after 8 years was confirmed, MBC caster Kim Na-jin left a deep impression with the comment, "She perfectly concluded the Asian Games stage, which could be the last for our football legend, Ji So-yun."

In boxing, Jang Dong-hwan (men's 60kg) and Kim Min-sung (80kg) both won silver medals after engaging in great matches without backing down against world-class opponents. MBC caster Eom Ju-won encouraged Jang Dong-hwan's match, saying, "He fought so well against the world number one. Whether it is silver or gold, it is amazing just to have played a match without regrets." Commentator Shin Jong-hun also added strength, saying, "The result is not important. We saw a new possibility today." Regarding Kim Min-sung, who won silver in his first tournament, caster Eom Ju-won offered praise, saying, "The sight of him clenching his fists is impressive. He is an athlete to look forward to next time." In taekwondo, An Hyang-sik and Gwak Min-ju both won bronze medals. Commentator Oh Hye-ri, who was in charge of the taekwondo broadcast, sent warm support along with a message of encouragement, saying, "She is a much better and more capable athlete. Have a bit more confidence in yourself. You can become a greater athlete."

As such, even on the 13th day of the competition, while medals poured in from all events including judo, football, boxing, and taekwondo, MBC firmly maintained its No. 1 position in viewership based on the perfect chemistry of veteran casters and professional commentators who increased the liveliness of the scene.

◆ At a Glance

· Issuing Organization: MBC

· Category: Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games

· Distribution: October 3, 08:45

Source: MBC Press Release

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