[Asian Games] N. Korean lifter lands gold in women's 58㎏

By 김지현

Published : Sept. 22, 2014 - 21:58

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North Korean lifter Ri Jong-hwa seized the gold medal in the women's 58-kilogram division at the 2014 Asian Games on Monday.

Ri lifted a total of 236 kg -- 102㎏ in the snatch and 134㎏ in the clean and jerk -- to claim the top spot on the podium, defeating her Chinese opponent Wang Shuai.

It was North Korea's third weightlifting gold medal in Incheon.

"I would like to report (my victory) to our leader Kim Jong-un first and foremost," said a smiling Ri during an interview after she was awarded the gold medal.

Asked whether she knew she would win the gold, the 23-year-old said that she knew she had "the guts to win."

The lifter had failed to complete her third snatch attempt within the set time limit but more than redeemed herself with a strong clean and jerk.

Ri is not an unfamiliar face on the international stage, as she grabbed a silver at the Asian Weightlifting Championship as well as a gold at the Asian Cup and Interclub Senior Weightlifting Championship, both held last year.

Wang secured the silver medal with a total of 235㎏, while Rattikan Gulnoi of Thailand came in third with 252㎏.

Kim Su-ryon, another North Korean weightlifter who failed in her attempt to claim a medal and ended in fifth place the previous day, joined other delegates of the isolated country to root for her weightlifting compatriot. Sheikh Ahmad Al Fahad Al Sabah, president of the Olympic Council of Asia, also attended the competition.

By Kim Young-won and news reports (wone0102@heraldcorp.com)

[Asian Games] N. Korean lifter lands gold in women's 58㎏

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