July 03, 2025Jul 03, 2025
KCNA Naenara (En)

Ssirum ace wins back trophy

Date: 26/11/2022 | Source: Naenara (En) | Read original version at source

Last September the 18th Grand Bull Prize national ssirum (Korean wrestling) contest was held to mark Chusok, a folk holiday of the Korean people, on the picturesque Rungna Islet’s ssirum ground.

Song Chol Min, student of Pyongyang College of Economics, lifted the trophy in the contest of ssirum aces selected from every province (city under the direct control of the government).

In the competition, Song demonstrated that a man who does not fall down is a strong man, but a man who gets up again after falling is a stronger man.

At the final match of the 17th Grand Bull Prize national ssirum contest last year, he finished runner-up as he lost the final game with a player from Kangwon Province weighing about 30 kg less than him.

“I keenly realized at that time that ssirum is not played by relying on body weight or sudden strength alone. So I even thought of giving up the sport,” recalled Song.

But many well-wishers encouraged him to become a true ssirum player, saying that if he quit, he would remain a loser forever and that he should not leave before clinching a win.

He rose up again with great endeavour. He trained so hard that he lost a dozen kilograms of his body weight.

His perseverance, strength and skills saw a remarkable improvement and they were fully displayed in the group matches in the 18th Grand Bull Prize national ssirum contest.

He was placed first in Group D and automatically earned qualification for the quarterfinal. He overpowered all the rivals to go on to the semifinal. He beat a player from North Hwanghae Province 2-0.

At the final he encountered a player from Kangwon Province, the last year’s champion.

“He was a formidable player I had competed with since the 16th Grand Bull Prize contest. I won the 16th contest and he won the 17th. So, spectators held extraordinary expectations about our bout in the 18th contest,” said Song.

Song won the first round with body-twist throw, whereas the Kangwon Provincial player beat him in the second round by means of lifting-and-throwing, succeeding in equalizing the game.

With the blow of the whistle, the third round began, which would decide the winner of the 18th contest. Spectators who had broken into enthusiastic cheers gazed at them holding their breath.

Amid the see-saw battle, Song missed his hold of waist thigh band of the rival and at that moment the Kangwon player mounted a sudden attack.

Spectators thought that Song would lose his chance, but he, with composure, controlled the opponent by drawing his left leg toward him and toppled him by tripping his right leg.

“A moment’s mistake or absence of mind can never be allowed in the ssirum match where the final consequence is decided in a moment. I have realized through today’s match that we can emerge victorious when we remain alert and do not lose powers of concentration even at the falling moment,” Song said, adding he would make redoubled efforts to encourage and develop ssirum , an excellent sport of the Korean nation.

More From Naenara (En)

Geo-section in Kat Peak

Geo-section in Kat Peak

The geo-section of Kat Peak is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The peak is

July 03, 2025

The geo-section of Kat Peak is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. The peak is

Joy of Harvesting

Joy of Harvesting

The harvest of wheat and barley is underway in the rural areas across the DPRK. Around June the harvest of the early crops starts

July 03, 2025

The harvest of wheat and barley is underway in the rural areas across the DPRK. Around June the harvest of the early crops starts

Chollima Ushers in Era of Miracles

Chollima Ushers in Era of Miracles

The Chollima era is proudly etched in the course of development of the DPRK replete with creations and transformations. In the

July 03, 2025

The Chollima era is proudly etched in the course of development of the DPRK replete with creations and transformations. In the

Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area Starts Service

Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist Area Starts Service

A spectacular sight of laughter and optimism has been presented at the 4km-long sandy beach of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist

July 03, 2025

A spectacular sight of laughter and optimism has been presented at the 4km-long sandy beach of the Wonsan Kalma Coastal Tourist

Classic Tangunsegi

Classic Tangunsegi

Korea’s classic Tangunsegi is known to have been compiled by Ri Am in 1363. The book deals with typical events, facts, language,

July 03, 2025

Korea’s classic Tangunsegi is known to have been compiled by Ri Am in 1363. The book deals with typical events, facts, language,

Delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University Leaves for Russia

Delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University Leaves for Russia

A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the

July 02, 2025

A delegation of Kim Il Sung Military University headed by its President Kim Kum Chol left Pyongyang on June 30 to visit the

Mt Kanbaek Volcano

Mt Kanbaek Volcano

Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an

July 02, 2025

Mt Kanbaek volcano is one of the geological sites in the Mt Paektu area registered as a global geopark. It is a volcano with an

Ten-year Goal for Cementing Foundations of Education

Ten-year Goal for Cementing Foundations of Education

Undertakings for improving conditions and environment for education are in full swing in the DPRK. Last year alone, after Songga

July 02, 2025

Undertakings for improving conditions and environment for education are in full swing in the DPRK. Last year alone, after Songga

Fallen Leaves Used to Make Paper

Fallen Leaves Used to Make Paper

The Paper Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a technology of making paper by using fallen

July 02, 2025

The Paper Engineering Institute of the State Academy of Sciences has developed a technology of making paper by using fallen

Delegation of Russian Ministry of Culture Tours Pyongyang

Delegation of Russian Ministry of Culture Tours Pyongyang

The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-oriented

July 02, 2025

The delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by Minister Olga Lyubimova visited the Juche-oriented

Talks Held between Ministers of Culture of DPRK and Russia

Talks Held between Ministers of Culture of DPRK and Russia

Talks between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova, minister of

July 01, 2025

Talks between Sung Jong Gyu, minister of Culture of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and Olga Lyubimova, minister of

Curved Continuous Caster Installed

Curved Continuous Caster Installed

The Chollima Steel Complex has newly installed an efficient and advanced curved continuous caster and put it into commission. As a

July 01, 2025

The Chollima Steel Complex has newly installed an efficient and advanced curved continuous caster and put it into commission. As a

Absolute Criteria

Absolute Criteria

Pyongyang Grand Theatre is one of the iconic structures in downtown Pyongyang. It is associated with the wise leadership of the

July 01, 2025

Pyongyang Grand Theatre is one of the iconic structures in downtown Pyongyang. It is associated with the wise leadership of the

Chongnam Contractual Joint Venture Company

Chongnam Contractual Joint Venture Company

Established in November 2004 and located in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the Chongnam Joint Venture Company engages in

June 30, 2025

Established in November 2004 and located in Mundok County, South Phyongan Province, the Chongnam Joint Venture Company engages in

New Technical Process for Improving Quality of Steel Established

New Technical Process for Improving Quality of Steel Established

Lately, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex set up a new technical process for improving the quality of steel by using active

June 30, 2025

Lately, the Hwanghae Iron and Steel Complex set up a new technical process for improving the quality of steel by using active

New Ornamental Tile Developed

New Ornamental Tile Developed

The Chongnam building-materials manufactory under the Anju Area Coal-mining Complex has developed an ornamental tile made of

June 30, 2025

The Chongnam building-materials manufactory under the Anju Area Coal-mining Complex has developed an ornamental tile made of

Delegation of Russian Ministry of Culture Arrives in Pyongyang

Delegation of Russian Ministry of Culture Arrives in Pyongyang

At an invitation of the DPRK Ministry of Culture, a delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by

June 30, 2025

At an invitation of the DPRK Ministry of Culture, a delegation of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation headed by

For Improving People’s Livelihood

For Improving People’s Livelihood

Many scientists in the DPRK put their heart and soul into implementing the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party

June 29, 2025

Many scientists in the DPRK put their heart and soul into implementing the Regional Development 20x10 Policy of the Workers’ Party

Ushering in New Era of National Rejuvenation

Ushering in New Era of National Rejuvenation

Today the DPRK is greeting a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation. With the appearance changing day by day from downtown

June 29, 2025

Today the DPRK is greeting a new era of comprehensive rejuvenation. With the appearance changing day by day from downtown

More Articles