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)
Several years ago, Jon Hyang Gi, graduate from Sariwon Teachers Training College, volunteered to work at Jangphung Primary School
May 30, 2023
Several years ago, Jon Hyang Gi, graduate from Sariwon Teachers Training College, volunteered to work at Jangphung Primary School
The Biodiversity Institute under the State Academy of Sciences conducted a field survey and research of distribution of migratory
May 30, 2023
The Biodiversity Institute under the State Academy of Sciences conducted a field survey and research of distribution of migratory
Researchers of Kim Chaek University of Technology developed a new-type machine of washing and sterilizing fruit-bearing vegetables
May 29, 2023
Researchers of Kim Chaek University of Technology developed a new-type machine of washing and sterilizing fruit-bearing vegetables
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea decided to convene the Eighth Plenary Meeting of
May 29, 2023
The Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea decided to convene the Eighth Plenary Meeting of
Sujongchon Primary School in Kangdong County in the capital city of Pyongyang has produced many model lecturers. Most of its
May 29, 2023
Sujongchon Primary School in Kangdong County in the capital city of Pyongyang has produced many model lecturers. Most of its
The US and the south Korean puppet scoundrels are getting ever more desperate in their ceaseless war gamble which has gone beyond
May 29, 2023
The US and the south Korean puppet scoundrels are getting ever more desperate in their ceaseless war gamble which has gone beyond
Kaesong City has been renowned for many historical remains and relics of national value and insam (ginseng). These days, it has
May 28, 2023
Kaesong City has been renowned for many historical remains and relics of national value and insam (ginseng). These days, it has
“The word paegya in Korean means white night. We will always offer beautiful and fascinating white night to the Pyongyang
May 28, 2023
“The word paegya in Korean means white night. We will always offer beautiful and fascinating white night to the Pyongyang
The Rangnang Museum was newly built on Thongil Street in Rangnang District of Pyongyang last year. It intensively shows the
May 28, 2023
The Rangnang Museum was newly built on Thongil Street in Rangnang District of Pyongyang last year. It intensively shows the
Every year, older persons across the country play such amusement games as janggi (Korean chess), yut -game and badminton and hold
May 27, 2023
Every year, older persons across the country play such amusement games as janggi (Korean chess), yut -game and badminton and hold
The Taehung Youth Hero Mine has recently succeeded in producing high-quality magnesia clinker with domestic fuel. It established a
May 27, 2023
The Taehung Youth Hero Mine has recently succeeded in producing high-quality magnesia clinker with domestic fuel. It established a
The 25th Plenary Meeting of the 14th Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic
May 27, 2023
The 25th Plenary Meeting of the 14th Standing Committee of the Supreme People’s Assembly of the Democratic People’s Republic
The relay teams of a letter of loyalty from the members of the Korean Children’s Union across the country, which started in
May 26, 2023
The relay teams of a letter of loyalty from the members of the Korean Children’s Union across the country, which started in
Scientists and technicians dispatched to the Ryongsong Machine Complex are solving scientific and technological problems arising
May 26, 2023
Scientists and technicians dispatched to the Ryongsong Machine Complex are solving scientific and technological problems arising
The Pyongyang Electronic Medical Appliances Factory is making a contribution to promoting the health of people by producing more
May 26, 2023
The Pyongyang Electronic Medical Appliances Factory is making a contribution to promoting the health of people by producing more
Japan, an insular country, has committed crimes against the Korean people for ages. Jo Hui Sung, candidate academician, professor
May 25, 2023
Japan, an insular country, has committed crimes against the Korean people for ages. Jo Hui Sung, candidate academician, professor
The large-scale house-building programme introduced by the Workers’ Party of Korea and the state is not designed for the pursuit
May 25, 2023
The large-scale house-building programme introduced by the Workers’ Party of Korea and the state is not designed for the pursuit
An event was held to commemorate World Wrestling Day at Badminton Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in the capital city of Pyongyang
May 24, 2023
An event was held to commemorate World Wrestling Day at Badminton Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in the capital city of Pyongyang
The Zoology Institute under the State Academy of Sciences at the foot of Mt Taesong in the capital city of Pyongyang engages in a
May 24, 2023
The Zoology Institute under the State Academy of Sciences at the foot of Mt Taesong in the capital city of Pyongyang engages in a
The following happened one June day in Juche 98 (2009) when Chairman Kim Jong Il visited a fish farm. Feasting his eyes on
May 24, 2023
The following happened one June day in Juche 98 (2009) when Chairman Kim Jong Il visited a fish farm. Feasting his eyes on
More Articles