PARIS — Park Hye-jeong, a 21-year-old weightlifter from South Korea, claimed the silver medal in the women's +81-kilogram category at the Paris Olympics on Sunday, dedicating her performance to her late mother, Nam Hyun-hee, who passed away from cancer four months ago. This medal marked South Korea's final addition to its tally at this year's Games, bringing the total to 32.
According to Yonhap News Agency, her journey to the podium was emotionally charged, especially due to the recent loss of her mother. "If she had been around, she would have given me a big hug," Park said during a post-event interview, visibly moved by the memory of her mother. Despite her personal loss, Park broke her own national records in the snatch and the total weight, lifting 299kg in total, just 10kg behind the champion, Li Wenwen of China.
Park's performance was not only a testament to her physical strength but also her mental resilience. She admitted that the pressure to live up to expectations was immense, especially being seen as a strong contender for silver behind the established gold favorite, Li. Park managed to surpass her own national record with lifts of 123kg, 127kg, and finally 131kg in the snatch category, all while coping with a minor elbow injury during her third attempt.
Reflecting on her inspiration and future goals, Park mentioned her admiration for South Korean weightlifting legend Jang Mi-ran, a former Olympic medalist and current second vice minister of culture, sports, and tourism. Like Jang, who began her Olympic journey with a silver in 2004 and captured gold in 2008, Park sees herself following in her footsteps and aiming for gold at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. "I admire Li Wenwen, but I managed to narrow the gap with her here," Park noted, expressing her determination to compete at an even higher level in the next Olympics.
Park's poignant dedication to her late mother and her resilient performance have captured the hearts of many, marking her as a promising athlete in the world of weightlifting.