“My Sisters Were Like My Mother”

”I just did an interview awhile ago, how do you expect me to do another one?” This did not mean that he disliked interviews. His face, full of laughter, revealed that he was joking.

Hwang Hee-tae (28, picture), who won the gold medal in the Doha Asian Games men’s judo 90kg on December 4, is also known as the “comedian of the mat.” Listening to the Mokpo-born player speaking a rapid firing of words with the humorous Jeolla dialect almost makes one think that one is watching a comedian.

Having won the gold medal of his dreams, Hwang couldn’t have felt better. But a shadow of distress crossed his beaming face for a moment, which was when his parents were mentioned.

Hwang Hee-tae has no parents. When he was in the first year of university, his mother passed away due to a kidney disorder, followed two years later by his father, who suddenly passed away with stiffening of his arteries. His mother was sick in bed from the time he was 10 years old, so he was raised by his five older sisters. His two twin sisters, who are 10 years older than him, were mother-figures to him.

They were sisters like “a mother,” but they could never be his mother. Hwang Hee-tae turned into a more introverted person. It was judo which helped changed his personality. As his judo skills improved, he gained confidence and he grew into a cheerful person.

Hwang’s long drive of success ran into a crisis in 2004 at the Athens Olympics. He had been a strong bet for the win, but at the semi-finals, Hwang allowed a half-point shoulder throw to Hiroshi Izumi (Japan), which reversed the score 10 seconds before the final whistle. With the prospect of the gold medal taken away, he played the match for the bronze medal half-heartedly. He was in such a shock that he thought of quitting judo.

The person who pulled him out of his despair was military coach Jeon Man-bae. With Coach Jeon’s encouragement, Hwang Hee-tae was able to put his judo uniform back on and regain his smile. And he also took hold of the gold medal.

Hwang Hee-tae said, “I was able to win the gold medal in this tournament because I was in the military.” He will be discharged from military service on December 12. Soon he will be wearing the uniform of Suwon City Hall. After a short time of distress, Hwang returned as an important pillar in judo, and his goal is clear.

“I have won gold medals in the World Championship and Asian Games. Now the Olympics are left.”

why@donga.com