November 27, 2025Nov 27, 2025
KCNA Pyongyang Times

Dark horses in national ssirum contest for Grand Bull Prize

Date: 17/09/2024 | Source: Pyongyang Times | Read original version at source

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

Chinese FM denounces Japan’s moves to revive militarism

Chinese FM denounces Japan’s moves to revive militarism

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China condemned the moves of Japan to revive militarism at a press conference o

November 26, 2025

A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China condemned the moves of Japan to revive militarism at a press conference o

Soot recycling process set up at thermal power complex

Soot recycling process set up at thermal power complex

The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex newly established a process for converting soot from the power production process into a raw

November 26, 2025

The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex newly established a process for converting soot from the power production process into a raw

National robot contest according to school systems held

National robot contest according to school systems held

The national robot contest according to school systems in the field of general education-2025 took place at Pyongyang Teachers

November 26, 2025

The national robot contest according to school systems in the field of general education-2025 took place at Pyongyang Teachers

Nation set to prevent forest fire

Nation set to prevent forest fire

On the basis of the information service system related to forest fire monitoring which is in operation on a nationwide scale, the

November 26, 2025

On the basis of the information service system related to forest fire monitoring which is in operation on a nationwide scale, the

Modern houses built in Hochon and Rangnim counties

Modern houses built in Hochon and Rangnim counties

New houses have been built at the Township Farm in Hochon County, South Hamgyong Province, and the Insan Farm in Rangnim County,

November 26, 2025

New houses have been built at the Township Farm in Hochon County, South Hamgyong Province, and the Insan Farm in Rangnim County,

Okryu Children’s Hospital a medical service base for children

Okryu Children’s Hospital a medical service base for children

The Okryu Children’s Hospital in the Munsu area of Pyongyang was inaugurated in October 2013.The hospital, equipped with the lates

November 26, 2025

The Okryu Children’s Hospital in the Munsu area of Pyongyang was inaugurated in October 2013.The hospital, equipped with the lates

Top spinning inscribed as national ICH element

Top spinning inscribed as national ICH element

Top spinning is one of winter folk games of Korean children. A top is spun with a whip on the ice or the ground. In winter

November 26, 2025

Top spinning is one of winter folk games of Korean children. A top is spun with a whip on the ice or the ground. In winter

Red warning light flashes for child protection

Red warning light flashes for child protection

The situation of children is getting worse in many countries and regions of the world with each passing day. Disputes and armed

November 25, 2025

The situation of children is getting worse in many countries and regions of the world with each passing day. Disputes and armed

New houses built in Komdok area of South Hamgyong Province

New houses built in Komdok area of South Hamgyong Province

New modern houses have been built in Ryongchon-dong, Saemunhwa-dong, Ponsan-dong, Jonjin-dong No. 2 and Taehung-dong No. 1 of

November 25, 2025

New modern houses have been built in Ryongchon-dong, Saemunhwa-dong, Ponsan-dong, Jonjin-dong No. 2 and Taehung-dong No. 1 of

Putin says: Statute of limitations does not apply to Nazi crimes

Putin says: Statute of limitations does not apply to Nazi crimes

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that no statute of limitations applies to the crimes committed by Nazis in his

November 25, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed that no statute of limitations applies to the crimes committed by Nazis in his

Frontrunners in devoted service movement

Frontrunners in devoted service movement

The 18th national symposium of health workers on experience of devoted service took place at the Myohyangsan Medical Appliances

November 25, 2025

The 18th national symposium of health workers on experience of devoted service took place at the Myohyangsan Medical Appliances

Major research projects finished ahead of schedule

Major research projects finished ahead of schedule

Kim Chaek University of Technology carried out the major research projects planned for this year ahead of schedule. Research teams

November 25, 2025

Kim Chaek University of Technology carried out the major research projects planned for this year ahead of schedule. Research teams

Session of Permanent Commission of SPA Standing Committee held

Session of Permanent Commission of SPA Standing Committee held

A session of the Permanent Commission of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK was held. The session

November 25, 2025

A session of the Permanent Commission of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK was held. The session

Russian President refers to development of Arctic

Russian President refers to development of Arctic

Russian President Vladimir Putin took part online in a ceremony of laying down the keel of the nuclear-powered ice-breaker

November 24, 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin took part online in a ceremony of laying down the keel of the nuclear-powered ice-breaker

New houses built in Hyongjesan District of Pyongyang

New houses built in Hyongjesan District of Pyongyang

A fairyland village has appeared at the Hyongsan Vegetable Farm in Hyongjesan District of Pyongyang Municipality. The picturesque

November 24, 2025

A fairyland village has appeared at the Hyongsan Vegetable Farm in Hyongjesan District of Pyongyang Municipality. The picturesque

Many farmers reap good harvest at Namap Farm in Yomju County

Many farmers reap good harvest at Namap Farm in Yomju County

The Namap Farm in Yomju County in North Phyongan Province, one of the country’s ten best agricultural counties in 2024, has

November 24, 2025

The Namap Farm in Yomju County in North Phyongan Province, one of the country’s ten best agricultural counties in 2024, has

Making effective use of resources

Making effective use of resources

Rapid population growth and economic development are accompanied by the consumption of huge amounts of resources. The resources

November 23, 2025

Rapid population growth and economic development are accompanied by the consumption of huge amounts of resources. The resources

More Articles