(C) Abu Dhabi Grand Slam 2022 / IJF.org

The marquee name in women's 57kg judo, Huh Mi-mi (Gyeongbuk Sports Council), has seized gold at the International Judo Federation (IJF) Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, marking her first international senior podium finish since the Paris Olympics.

In the women's 57kg final held at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on November 29 (Korea time), Huh defeated Giulia Carna of Italy by pin (Osae-komi) for the gold medal.

Huh initiated relentless attacks from the outset of the match but failed to register a score. With only 57 seconds remaining in regular time, she received a Shido (penalty), placing her in a disadvantageous position.

However, Heo demonstrated superior stamina in the Golden Score period (overtime). She aggressively pressured Carna early in the extension, eventually turning her opponent over with groundwork techniques before securing the decisive pin, clinching the victory.

Huh Mi-mi is a leading figure on the women's national judo team, having won gold at the 2024 IJF World Championships and silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Her journey back to the top echelon of international competition was not without obstacles. After undergoing surgery on her left shoulder ligament in March of this year, she suffered an unexpected second-round exit at the 2025 World Championships in June.

Nevertheless, Heo began to regain her confidence with victories at the 2025 Rhine-Ruhr Summer World University Games and the 106th National Sports Festival. This Grand Slam triumph serves as a strong re-affirmation of her international competitiveness and world-class status.

The same day also witnessed a notable victory in the men's 60kg class, where Russia's Ayub Bliev claimed the gold medal. This win is significant as it marks the first time a Russian athlete has won an international judo competition since the IJF imposed sanctions in 2022. The IJF had announced on November 27 that its Executive Committee decided to lift the sanctions and reinstate the Russian Federation's status. Consequently, the Russian flag was displayed and the Russian national anthem was played during the medal ceremony.

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