The 19th Grand Bull Prize National Ssirum Contest took place at the national ssirum ground on Rungna Islet in Pyongyang on September 5-6.
Wondering who would win the 19th Grand Bull Prize, huge crowds thronged the ground to see the contest of strength and wits.
One best player from each province (city under the direct control of the government) could take part in the contest which decided the rankings through catch-weight matches and therefore it was very fierce from the preliminary matches.
Divided into four groups, the participants played group league and additional matches and winners of them advanced to the finals to compete on a knock-out basis.
Song Chol Min from Pyongyang drew the attention of spectators as he had looked forward to the third consecutive victory. Whenever he defeated his opponent soundly, spectators gave him a big hand.
Unexpectedly, however, Choe Tong Bom from North Phyongan Province was crowned champion.
He was third in the placings in the previous contests, but now beat Kang Song Gun from Jagang Province and Pyongyang’s Song Chol Min, who are heavier than him.
Kang weighing less than Song also outdid Song to come second in the final.
Experts said it is the success of the 19th contest as well as of the two players.
In the ssirum contest in which a player has to take his opponent’s thigh band, the one with less weight or lower height is inferior to his opponent in the grabbing of the thigh band, which has a big influence on the match.
Therefore, relatively small players need agility, quick estimation of the situation, making of correct decision and boldness. Choe and Kang could beat Song as they had the initiative and played games boldly by giving full play to such abilities.
After the contest, Choe said: “I will never forget this game forever. It is not only because I emerged victorious in the tough match, but also because ssirum is an excellent sport which enabled me to experience the pleasure of defeating a larger and stronger opponent.”
The spectators heartily applauded as they saw thrilling matches whose results were unexpected.
The trophy cup, medals and diplomas were awarded to winners.
More From Pyongyang Times
A ceremony of great significance was held in the area of Hwasong in Pyongyang, well known as an epitome representing socialist
February 19, 2026
A ceremony of great significance was held in the area of Hwasong in Pyongyang, well known as an epitome representing socialist
The workers in the munitions industry of the DPRK are providing a sure guarantee for a continuous development and radical dramatic
February 19, 2026
The workers in the munitions industry of the DPRK are providing a sure guarantee for a continuous development and radical dramatic
Comrades,The workers in the munitions industry have prepared the most valuable present for a glorious congress of the Workers’ Par
February 19, 2026
Comrades,The workers in the munitions industry have prepared the most valuable present for a glorious congress of the Workers’ Par
Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members, who are spending significant days in Pyongyang after building an ideal farm town
February 19, 2026
Soldier-builders and youth shock brigade members, who are spending significant days in Pyongyang after building an ideal farm town
Performances of participants in the Third People's Art Festival were given in different parts of the country on February 16 to
February 19, 2026
Performances of participants in the Third People's Art Festival were given in different parts of the country on February 16 to
There was a significant ceremony ahead of the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea all the Party members
February 19, 2026
There was a significant ceremony ahead of the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea all the Party members
Delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where President Kim Il Sung
February 19, 2026
Delegates to the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea visited the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun where President Kim Il Sung
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
February 19, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received congratulatory messages from organizations and bodies of the General Association of
The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations criticized Western countries for abusing the UNSC in putting pressure
February 18, 2026
The Russian permanent representative to the United Nations criticized Western countries for abusing the UNSC in putting pressure
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan for not honestly and sincerely approaching its history of aggression,
February 18, 2026
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced Japan for not honestly and sincerely approaching its history of aggression,
There came an epoch-making success of concluding the construction of 50 000 flats in Pyongyang, which had powerfully been carried
February 17, 2026
There came an epoch-making success of concluding the construction of 50 000 flats in Pyongyang, which had powerfully been carried
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the orientation of the country’s diplomatic work in a video speech on February
February 17, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the orientation of the country’s diplomatic work in a video speech on February
The Hungarian minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade criticized the forced army recruitment which is being enforced in Ukraine with
February 17, 2026
The Hungarian minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade criticized the forced army recruitment which is being enforced in Ukraine with
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the General Association of Koreans in China on February
February 17, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the General Association of Koreans in China on February
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association
February 17, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association
Lunar New Year’s Day is one of the greatest national folk holidays of the Korean people. From ancient times, each family cleaned
February 17, 2026
Lunar New Year’s Day is one of the greatest national folk holidays of the Korean people. From ancient times, each family cleaned
Saeppyol Street has made an imposing appearance in an excellent location in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang, the capital of the
February 16, 2026
Saeppyol Street has made an imposing appearance in an excellent location in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang, the capital of the
Present here today are the bereaved family members of the fallen soldiers and other combatants as well as the combatants of the
February 16, 2026
Present here today are the bereaved family members of the fallen soldiers and other combatants as well as the combatants of the
A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
February 16, 2026
A congratulatory group of Koreans in Japan led by Ko Tok U, chairman of the Tokyo Metropolitan Headquarters of the General
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the reckless remarks of the Japanese prime minister at a press conference on
February 16, 2026
A spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry rejected the reckless remarks of the Japanese prime minister at a press conference on
More Articles
