Kim CholHwan, a wrestler who grew up under the care of the Workers’ Party of Korea, wasa famous sportsman who became the first twice world wrestling champion of the DPRKby winning the first place in the 48kg category events of the 22nd and 23rdWorld Freestyle Wrestling Championships.
The countryhighly appreciated his successes and feats in the international arena and put himforward as the first Labour Hero of the sports circle of the DPRK together withthe world table-tennis queen Pak Yong Sun.
Kim startedwrestling at Songyo District Extracurricular Sports School in his teens andtook the first place in the 36kg freestyle wrestling event of the Asianjuvenile wrestling championship held in Iraq in October Juche 66(1977).
Later, hetook the first place at international games held in August Juche 70(1981) andMarch the following year, fully demonstrating his physical and technicalabilities.
Though hehad some failures and frustrations in his playing career, Kim braced himself upwith confidence in victory and high ambition and lifted the trophy at the 22ndWorld Freestyle Wrestling Championships. Thus, he became the first world wrestlingchampion in the country.
He won the48kg category title at the 23rd World Freestyle Wrestling Championships againand brought great pleasure to the country.
In Juche74(1985), he was awarded the title of Labour Hero, the highest honour for DPRK citizens.
Kim CholHwan, who lived a life of loyalty and patriotism, was buried in the PatrioticMartyrs Cemetery.
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