Kim Kuk Hyang, who was a diver of the then April 25 Sports Club, is the first world champion of the swimming circles in the DPRK.
Born as an only daughter of a sportspersons’ family, she started to learn artistic gymnastics from her mother who had worked as a coach at a sports club.
Afterwards, she was chosen as a gymnast at the above-said sports club and trained hard. One day, her coach told her an amazing news that she was selected as a diver.
How could I dive from a high platform? The mere thought perplexed her.
Holding the hands of the coach, she asked if she had no prospects in the gymnastic event. Expressing her resolve to make redoubled efforts in the future, she entreated her coach not to exclude her.
Her coach said she was more fit to diving and that she would readily get familiar with the event as she learned artistic gymnastics. She encouraged her, noting that she was able to be a diving champion if she made a little effort.
Though the event required highly difficult movements, she buckled down to training without hesitation as she had distinguished herself in performing the movements of artistic gymnastics.
So, she made a U-turn.
In order to learn swimming and acquire thrilling movements with a high degree of difficulty to be performed in a few seconds from start to entry, she never left the training ground.
As a saying goes, genius means hard work, she finally proved successful in several categories of diving event in the national youth championships held in 2013.
Later, she was selected as a member of the national team and made her debut in the 16th FINA Diving World Championships with a courage and confidence to be a sportsperson beating the world.
In the women’s individual 10m platform diving event she performed thrilling movements with a high degree of difficulty and correct entry and received 397.05 in total points, thus clinching a gold medal.
Afterwards, she bagged four gold medals in the 29th Summer Universiad and won the 17th FINA Diving World Championships, the 18th Asian Games and other international competitions.
As she exalted the dignity and honour of the country in international games, she was honoured to have a photograph taken with the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un .
The state put her forward as a winner of Kim Jong Il Youth Honour Prize and People’s Athlete and invited her as a delegate to the 7th National Conference of Sportspersons and the celebrations of the 70th founding anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea.
Ko Chol Hwa
More From Naenara (En)
The 16th Commodity Exhibition at Pyongyang Department Store No. 1 has closed. The exhibition, which instilled pride and
May 08, 2025
The 16th Commodity Exhibition at Pyongyang Department Store No. 1 has closed. The exhibition, which instilled pride and
On February 14, the groundbreaking ceremony of a modern offshore farm was held in Ragwon County, South Hamgyong Province, in the
May 08, 2025
On February 14, the groundbreaking ceremony of a modern offshore farm was held in Ragwon County, South Hamgyong Province, in the
A great many people around the world are forced out of their homes and subjected to hunger and suffering due to frequent sectarian
May 08, 2025
A great many people around the world are forced out of their homes and subjected to hunger and suffering due to frequent sectarian
Our family moved to a new street built at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang. The state gave me a new house before a
May 08, 2025
Our family moved to a new street built at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang. The state gave me a new house before a
Shortly ago, a large number of working people moved to the newly-built 10 000 flats at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyon
May 08, 2025
Shortly ago, a large number of working people moved to the newly-built 10 000 flats at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyon
A dynamic campaign is going on across the country to readjust, reinforce and perfect the nation’s irrigation system in
May 08, 2025
A dynamic campaign is going on across the country to readjust, reinforce and perfect the nation’s irrigation system in
At the invitation of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a government delegation of the Republic of
May 08, 2025
At the invitation of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a government delegation of the Republic of
Today monumental edifices are springing up one after another in the capital city and other parts of the DPRK to the admiration of
May 07, 2025
Today monumental edifices are springing up one after another in the capital city and other parts of the DPRK to the admiration of
Shortly ago, a special natural cave was discovered in Iryong-ri, Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The cave,
May 07, 2025
Shortly ago, a special natural cave was discovered in Iryong-ri, Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The cave,
DPRK weightlifter Kim Yong Ju came first at the 2025 IWF World Youth and Junior Championships held in Peru. Kim Yong Ju won three
May 07, 2025
DPRK weightlifter Kim Yong Ju came first at the 2025 IWF World Youth and Junior Championships held in Peru. Kim Yong Ju won three
Among the first winners of the Natural Science Prize newly instituted this year is Prof. Im Song Jin, PhD and chief of a lab in
May 07, 2025
Among the first winners of the Natural Science Prize newly instituted this year is Prof. Im Song Jin, PhD and chief of a lab in
An event took place at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on May 5 to mark International Day of the Midwife 2025. Present there were
May 07, 2025
An event took place at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on May 5 to mark International Day of the Midwife 2025. Present there were
A new system has been launched in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to support the education of children with
May 07, 2025
A new system has been launched in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to support the education of children with
True to the Workers’ Party of Korea’s childcare policy, different parts of the country are making further efforts to expand
May 06, 2025
True to the Workers’ Party of Korea’s childcare policy, different parts of the country are making further efforts to expand
Medical education institutes across the country are making efforts to train practical talents. Pyongyang University of Medical
May 06, 2025
Medical education institutes across the country are making efforts to train practical talents. Pyongyang University of Medical
One day in early May in 1998 Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Sogwang Temple at the foot of Mt Solbong in Kangwon Province’s Kosan
May 06, 2025
One day in early May in 1998 Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Sogwang Temple at the foot of Mt Solbong in Kangwon Province’s Kosan
One day in December 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un called an official. He asked the official about the plan for funding
May 05, 2025
One day in December 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un called an official. He asked the official about the plan for funding
May 5 is International Day of the Midwife. Marking the day every year, the International Confederation of Midwives presents a
May 05, 2025
May 5 is International Day of the Midwife. Marking the day every year, the International Confederation of Midwives presents a
“Song of the Ten-point Programme of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland” is one of the immortal works
May 05, 2025
“Song of the Ten-point Programme of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland” is one of the immortal works
A schoolchildren’s art group of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace led by Kim Song Il, vice-chairman of the Central Committee
May 04, 2025
A schoolchildren’s art group of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace led by Kim Song Il, vice-chairman of the Central Committee
More Articles
