'I couldn't stop thinking about her': Korean weightlifter Park Hye-jeong recalls late mother in tearful silver medal win

“I am thinking about eating a snail dish with my father and sister,” Park said. “If my mother was alive, she would have come here, and I would have hugged her. I want to return to Korea soon and show my medal to her.”

Korean weightlifter Park Hye-jeong reacts after winning a silver medal in the women's +81 kilogram final at the Paris Olympics at South Paris Arena 6 in Paris on Sunday. [YONHAP]

Silver medalist Park Hye-jeong burst into tears in a post-match press conference after the women’s +81-kilogram final at the Paris Olympics at South Paris Arena 6 in Paris on Sunday as she recalled her mother who died three months before the Games.

Park’s mother died in April after losing a battle with a disease. But grief did not stunt Park’s performance at the Olympics, where she became the second Korean female weightlifter to claim an Olympic medal in the super heavyweight discipline at her first Games.

“I hung out with my mother who appeared in my dreams,” Park said Sunday. “When I woke up, I was crying. I tried not to think about my mother until after the Olympics in order to stay focused, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her.”

The 22-year-old’s father and older sister were in Paris to support her.

“I am thinking about eating a snail dish with my father and sister,” Park said. “If my mother was alive, she would have come here, and I would have hugged her. I want to return to Korea soon and show my medal to her.”

Park rose to fame by winning medals on the international stage like the Asian Games and world championships and appearing in Korean entertainment shows. She also picked up the nickname “weightlifting fairy.”

“I think the nickname ‘weightlifting fairy’ is mine now,” Park said. “I will also work to be an athlete who does the best with responsibilities and always competes fairly.”

Former KBS anchor Jun Hyun-moo, who now works as a TV show host, returned to KBS to broadcast Park’s contest on Sunday.

“Jun broadcast my contest,” Park said. “I am thankful that he did, even though weightlifting is not a popular sport. He also tells me good stories that help me control my emotions.”

BY KIM HYO-KYONG, KO BONG-JUN [paik.jihwan@joongang.co.kr]