Player aspiring after top weightlifter
Kim Il Gyong is a woman weightlifter of the April 25 Combat Sports Team who was selected as one of the top ten best players of the DPRK in 2024 after 2022 and 2023.
Since she started her career as a weightlifter, she has immersed herself in training by displaying her natural aptitude and amazing perseverance and fortitude.
She participated in the Asian Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships to register good results. Later, she fully displayed her capability in domestic and international games.
In the women's 59kg weightlifting of the 19th Asian Games in 2023, in particular, she established a new world record in snatch and new records of the games in jerk and total, thereby winning three gold medals.
As a result, she joined the ranks of the world record holders in the domestic women's weightlifting circles.
Her eyes were fixed on the world games beyond Asia.
Though she won four gold and two silver medals at the women's 59kg category in the 2024 Asian Weightlifting Championships and 2024 IWF World Cup last year, she could not rest on her laurels. Her aim was not the mere first place, but the record-breaking top place.
She made painstaking efforts with great ambition and finally felt the joy of success.
She snatched three gold medals and the best player award at the 2024 IWF World Championships by snatching 108kg, jerking 141kg (new world record) and lifting 249kg in total (new world record).
"Victory for medal cannot be called a victory. The genuine victory is the win achieved by setting a new record," said Kim, winner of the Kim Il Sung Children Honour Prize and Merited Athlete.
She now holds all the world records of the women's 59kg snatch, jerk and total.
Woman of ability in weightlifting circles
Known as one of the aces in the women's weightlifting circles, Ri Song Gum is the winner of the Kim Il Sung Youth Honour Prize and Merited Athlete.
She was one of the top ten players of the DPRK in succession from 2021 to 2024.
Starting to learn weightlifting at a county juvenile sports school (at that time), she laid stepping stones to success with painstaking efforts.
With her special ability in jerk, she always won victory in different domestic and international games in succession by relying on it as a weapon, recording a new record.
She snatched three gold medals at the women's 44kg category of the 2014 Asian Junior and Youth Weightlifting Championships and established a new world record in jerk.
She won the women's weightlifting event of the 19th Asian Games in 2023 and renewed her world record in the jerk and total events at the 49kg category in the 2024 Asian Weightlifting Championships and the 2024 IWF World Cup.
More From Pyongyang Times
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
January 28, 2026
Recently, the Laotian government set its major tasks for 2026. A government meeting took place in Vientiane, the capital of Laos,
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
January 28, 2026
The Indian embassy in Pyongyang hosted a reception at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on January 26 to mark the Day of the
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
January 28, 2026
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov decried the confrontational policy of the West at a press conference on January 20. Saying
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
January 28, 2026
Modern houses have been built in the rural villages of Sokjang-ri of Jangyon County and Songnam-ri of Thaethan County, South
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
January 28, 2026
Schoolchildren’s winter vacation is now at its height. Their routines during the vacation are very diverse, and yet priority is
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
January 28, 2026
The Sariwon Tannery in North Hwanghae Province has been remodelled. All its production lines, ranging from raw material feeding to
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
January 28, 2026
A meeting was held on January 26 to review the 2025 socialist emulation in the fruit farming sector. Present there were Ri Chol
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
January 27, 2026
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at a talk on January 19 that the country should develop its economy by its own
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
January 27, 2026
The German prime minister at a press conference on January 19 resisted the US’ tariff pressure in relation to the Greenland issue.
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
January 27, 2026
Construction projects conducive to developing the self-supporting economy have been completed one after another in different parts
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
January 27, 2026
Ryu Kum Hui is one of the talented film artistes. Born in Hamhung City, South Hamgyong Province, she was gifted with a clear voice
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
January 27, 2026
The Musan Mining Complex carried out the blasting of one million cubic metres of earth on January 25. The successful blasting
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
January 27, 2026
Kimchi is one of the typical foods of the DPRK. A unique processed vegetable made through lactic fermentation of vegetable, kimchi
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
January 27, 2026
The Pukchang Thermal Power Complex is bringing about a great upsurge in production. Last year the complex conducted maintenance
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
January 26, 2026
On January 18, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK issued a joint statement against the
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
January 26, 2026
The prime minister of Greenland reaffirmed the stand to defend the right to self-determination on January 19. The oppressive moves
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
January 26, 2026
Modern rural dwellings are springing up one after another in Kangwon Province amid the news of ceremonies of moving into new
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
January 26, 2026
Sariwon Ri Kye Sun University of Education has been newly built in North Hwanghae Province. The university has school buildings,
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
January 26, 2026
The Farm Machine Institute has been successfully built as the central base for leading the comprehensive mechanization of
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
January 26, 2026
A fish pickling workshop has been built at the Hanchon Fishery Station. The construction of the base for producing various kinds
More Articles
