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
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
January 03, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People's
Comrades, young people and officers and soldiers, I have come here just after the national celebration to share the beginning of
January 03, 2026
Comrades, young people and officers and soldiers, I have come here just after the national celebration to share the beginning of
Russian President Vladimir Putin touched on the issue of training talents at a meeting of the state council on December 25. The
January 03, 2026
Russian President Vladimir Putin touched on the issue of training talents at a meeting of the state council on December 25. The
All the people across the DPRK significantly greeted the hope-filled New Year 2026. The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred
January 03, 2026
All the people across the DPRK significantly greeted the hope-filled New Year 2026. The Kumsusan Palace of the Sun, the sacred
The schoolchildren’s New Year performance in 2026 “Mt Country Is the Best” was given on January 1. The performance was
January 03, 2026
The schoolchildren’s New Year performance in 2026 “Mt Country Is the Best” was given on January 1. The performance was
Greeting the significant New Year 2026, all the Korean people pay the highest tribute and best wishes for immortality to President
January 03, 2026
Greeting the significant New Year 2026, all the Korean people pay the highest tribute and best wishes for immortality to President
At the time when students of revolutionary schools are growing up with pride to be the backbone of the Juche revolution under the
January 03, 2026
At the time when students of revolutionary schools are growing up with pride to be the backbone of the Juche revolution under the
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the US’ acts of hostility against Venezuela at a press conference o
January 02, 2026
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the US’ acts of hostility against Venezuela at a press conference o
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association
January 02, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the Central Standing Committee of the General Association
The hope-filled New Year 2026 has come, encouraging all the people of the DPRK to turn out in the vigorous advance towards a new
January 02, 2026
The hope-filled New Year 2026 has come, encouraging all the people of the DPRK to turn out in the vigorous advance towards a new
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the General Association of Koreans in China on January 1.
January 02, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received a congratulatory letter from the General Association of Koreans in China on January 1.
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received New Year’s cards from heads of state, political party leaders and personages of differe
January 02, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un received New Year’s cards from heads of state, political party leaders and personages of differe
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
January 02, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea, president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
All the people across the DPRK are paying the highest respect to President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il, eternal leaders
January 02, 2026
All the people across the DPRK are paying the highest respect to President Kim Il Sung and Chairman Kim Jong Il, eternal leaders
On New Year's Day warm affection was shown for children by the benevolent father who represents the bright smile of them, the hope
January 02, 2026
On New Year's Day warm affection was shown for children by the benevolent father who represents the bright smile of them, the hope
The hopeful New Year 2026 has come to the country dynamically advancing toward the grand goal of eternal prosperity for the
January 01, 2026
The hopeful New Year 2026 has come to the country dynamically advancing toward the grand goal of eternal prosperity for the
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a speech at a New Year celebration. The full text of his speech is as follows: Dear
January 01, 2026
The respected Comrade Kim Jong Un made a speech at a New Year celebration. The full text of his speech is as follows: Dear
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
January 01, 2026
Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the Democratic People’s
Marking the New Year 2026, the Editorial Board of The Pyongyang Times extends warm greetings to all readers, who have got familiar
January 01, 2026
Marking the New Year 2026, the Editorial Board of The Pyongyang Times extends warm greetings to all readers, who have got familiar
Villages of the Konggwi Vegetable Farm in Kanggye City and the Kaewon Farm in Wiwon County, Jagang Province, underwent great
December 31, 2025
Villages of the Konggwi Vegetable Farm in Kanggye City and the Kaewon Farm in Wiwon County, Jagang Province, underwent great
More Articles
