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 Sci-Tech Complex has recently rendered tangible assistance to the units newly built in line with the regional development
December 28, 2025
The Sci-Tech Complex has recently rendered tangible assistance to the units newly built in line with the regional development
One early evening in August 2009, when the midday heat was still felt, Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Pothonggang Shop newly
December 28, 2025
One early evening in August 2009, when the midday heat was still felt, Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Pothonggang Shop newly
A lecture was given at the Central Youth Hall on December 26 to mark the 53rd anniversary of the enactment of the DPRK
December 28, 2025
A lecture was given at the Central Youth Hall on December 26 to mark the 53rd anniversary of the enactment of the DPRK
People in Kaephung District, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK, greeted the moment of an auspicious event. An inauguration ceremony
December 28, 2025
People in Kaephung District, Kaesong Municipality of the DPRK, greeted the moment of an auspicious event. An inauguration ceremony
In Yomju County, a northwestern coastal area of the DPRK, modern regional-industry factories have been built as a solid foundation
December 28, 2025
In Yomju County, a northwestern coastal area of the DPRK, modern regional-industry factories have been built as a solid foundation
Over the past 10-odd years, workers’ hostels have been newly built in many units across the country.The workers’ hostel was inaugu
December 28, 2025
Over the past 10-odd years, workers’ hostels have been newly built in many units across the country.The workers’ hostel was inaugu
Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin Farm and Songhung Farm in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province of the
December 28, 2025
Fashionable dwelling houses have appeared at the Pumin Farm and Songhung Farm in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province of the
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace is a comprehensive extracurricular educational base for schoolchildren. The respected
December 28, 2025
The Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace is a comprehensive extracurricular educational base for schoolchildren. The respected
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to
December 27, 2025
Kim Jong Un , president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, sent a message of greeting to
A public presentation of agricultural workers and members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea to express impressions on
December 27, 2025
A public presentation of agricultural workers and members of the Union of Agricultural Workers of Korea to express impressions on
The artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea gave an artistic performance “Pyon
December 27, 2025
The artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea gave an artistic performance “Pyon
Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality of the DPRK, showing the new appearance of the socialist modern
December 27, 2025
Modern houses have been built at farms in Nampho Municipality of the DPRK, showing the new appearance of the socialist modern
The workers’ artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea gave an
December 27, 2025
The workers’ artistic motivational team of the Central Committee of the General Federation of Trade Unions of Korea gave an
The DPRK reliably guarantees the people-oriented politics of the socialist state by adopting laws, regulations and rules in a
December 27, 2025
The DPRK reliably guarantees the people-oriented politics of the socialist state by adopting laws, regulations and rules in a
Do people like it? This was what Chairman Kim Jong Il always asked during his inspection tours. On December 3, 2006, he visited
December 27, 2025
Do people like it? This was what Chairman Kim Jong Il always asked during his inspection tours. On December 3, 2006, he visited
The Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea stressed that a massive construction
December 27, 2025
The Eleventh Plenary Meeting of the Eighth Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea stressed that a massive construction
As the Workers’ Party of Korea’s programme for effecting a rural revolution in the new era proceeds in earnest, a nationwide
December 27, 2025
As the Workers’ Party of Korea’s programme for effecting a rural revolution in the new era proceeds in earnest, a nationwide
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of Kim Chang Son, department director of the State Affairs Commission
December 26, 2025
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un sent a wreath to the bier of Kim Chang Son, department director of the State Affairs Commission
The following happened when some officials planned the number of the flats to be built in the fourth-stage housing construction in
December 26, 2025
The following happened when some officials planned the number of the flats to be built in the fourth-stage housing construction in
In the DPRK where education is regarded as the foremost state affair, all the people are entitled to learn and provided with
December 26, 2025
In the DPRK where education is regarded as the foremost state affair, all the people are entitled to learn and provided with
More Articles
