North Korean Weightlifter Caring for Injured Chinese Athlete and Birthday
Smiling While Bowing Deeply at Kim Suhyun's Words
At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games weightlifting women's 76kg category, North Korean athletes won gold and silver medals side by side, but they rarely smiled. What briefly made them smile was the bright energy of bronze medalist Kim Su-hyun (28, Busan City Sports Council).
Kim Su-hyun Makes Even the Stern North Korean Athletes Smile
At the medalists' press conference for the women's 76kg A group weightlifting event held on the 5th at Xiaoshan Sports Center in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, North Korea's Song Guk-hyang and Jeong Chun-hui, along with South Korea's Kim Su-hyun, were present. Song Guk-hyang won with a total of 267kg, surpassing Jeong Chun-hui's 266kg, and Kim Su-hyun placed third with a total of 243kg.
Song Guk-hyang said, "Today's goal was not this record (267kg) but the world record (North Korea's Rim Jong-sim's 278kg). It's really regrettable," adding, "The Chinese athlete (Liao Guifang) could not participate in this event (medalists' press conference) today, and I am worried if her injury is not serious."
On the 5th, after the women's 76kg Group A weightlifting competition at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Song Gukhyang, who won the gold medal, Jung Chunhwi, who won the silver medal, and Kim Suhyun, who won the bronze medal, are taking a commemorative photo at the Xiaoshan Sports Center in Hangzhou, China. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Earlier, strong favorite Liao Guifang (China) lifted 113kg in the first snatch attempt but appeared to get injured while attempting 118kg in the second attempt and suddenly declared withdrawal.
In response, Jeong Chun-hui said, "Today is the Chinese athlete's birthday, so I want to send my congratulations," and added, "I hope the Chinese athlete recovers quickly so we can compete properly based on skill."
Hearing this, Kim Su-hyun said, "This is my third Asian Games, and I finally won a medal," adding, "I was so happy that I didn't even realize the Chinese athlete was injured... Congratulations on the Chinese athlete's birthday." At Kim Su-hyun's unexpected words, Song Guk-hyang and Jeong Chun-hui bowed their heads deeply and smiled.
Kim Su-hyun continued, "I like Rim Jong-sim unnie. It is an honor to compete against two athletes who perform better than unnie Jong-sim," and said, "I want to set bigger goals, perform as well as these friends, and take one step higher." The North Korean athletes showed somewhat surprised expressions.
North Korea's Song Guk-hyang Credits "Respected Marshal Kim Jong-un" for Gold Medal Sweep
When asked about the secret behind North Korea's weightlifting gold medal sweep at this Asian Games, Song Guk-hyang choked up and paused briefly.
He said, "It is the thought of repaying the love of Respected Marshal Kim Jong-un," adding, "As the saying goes, behind a great disciple is a great teacher, and behind today's achievements are the efforts of our coach comrades. I want to widely boast about such excellent coach leaders."
He continued, "Leading the world by winning, and winning triumphantly even when we win, is the consistent determination and goal of our Korean athletes."
Meanwhile, North Korea is sweeping weightlifting medals at this Asian Games. So far, in the nine weight categories held, North Korea has won 13 medals (6 gold, 5 silver, 2 bronze), more than China (3 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze).
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