Among the new entrants to Central Sports School in January 2014 was Ri Suk, a girl in her teens who developed a passion for weightlifting.
She dreamed of flying the national flag of the DPRK at international competitions.
Her instructor valued her dream, and made exacting demand on her.
Ri Suk exerted herself tirelessly in training.
However, it was too much for her to perform weightlifting routines almost every day.
Finally, she collapsed under the burden of intensive training.
That evening her instructor came to see her at the hostel.
“I know it will be a challenge to a young girl to lift weights every day,” she told Ri. “But you have a dream. If you give up here, you will not be able to fly the national flag at international competitions forever.”
Her remarks were not long but they were enough to move her.
That night, Ri Suk wrote in her diary:
“What made me take up weightlifting? Remember, Ri Suk. Redouble efforts.”
In addition to daily routines, she trained more till she attained her own target.
Just two years after practising weightlifting, she began to prove herself at domestic competitions. She renewed a national juvenile record at a national sports schools’ tournament.
She went on to excel herself in her international debut by garnering six gold medals in snatch, jerk and total of the juvenile and junior 53kg categories at the Asian Juvenile and Junior Weightlifting Championships in 2018.
Not resting on her laurels, she set a higher goal and worked harder.
Her efforts paid off.
Ri won three gold medals in the women’s 64kg category at the 2023 IWF Grand Prix by lifting 114kg in snatch, a new world record of 146kg in jerk and 260kg in total.
Besides, she snatched three gold medals in the same category at the Asian Weightlifting Championships last year, demonstrating her prowess and realizing her dream.
Pak Jong Hyok
More From Naenara (En)
The 16th Commodity Exhibition at Pyongyang Department Store No. 1 has closed. The exhibition, which instilled pride and
May 08, 2025
The 16th Commodity Exhibition at Pyongyang Department Store No. 1 has closed. The exhibition, which instilled pride and
On February 14, the groundbreaking ceremony of a modern offshore farm was held in Ragwon County, South Hamgyong Province, in the
May 08, 2025
On February 14, the groundbreaking ceremony of a modern offshore farm was held in Ragwon County, South Hamgyong Province, in the
A great many people around the world are forced out of their homes and subjected to hunger and suffering due to frequent sectarian
May 08, 2025
A great many people around the world are forced out of their homes and subjected to hunger and suffering due to frequent sectarian
Our family moved to a new street built at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang. The state gave me a new house before a
May 08, 2025
Our family moved to a new street built at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyongyang. The state gave me a new house before a
Shortly ago, a large number of working people moved to the newly-built 10 000 flats at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyon
May 08, 2025
Shortly ago, a large number of working people moved to the newly-built 10 000 flats at the third stage in the Hwasong area of Pyon
A dynamic campaign is going on across the country to readjust, reinforce and perfect the nation’s irrigation system in
May 08, 2025
A dynamic campaign is going on across the country to readjust, reinforce and perfect the nation’s irrigation system in
At the invitation of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a government delegation of the Republic of
May 08, 2025
At the invitation of the government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, a government delegation of the Republic of
Today monumental edifices are springing up one after another in the capital city and other parts of the DPRK to the admiration of
May 07, 2025
Today monumental edifices are springing up one after another in the capital city and other parts of the DPRK to the admiration of
Shortly ago, a special natural cave was discovered in Iryong-ri, Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The cave,
May 07, 2025
Shortly ago, a special natural cave was discovered in Iryong-ri, Kowon County, South Hamgyong Province of the DPRK. The cave,
DPRK weightlifter Kim Yong Ju came first at the 2025 IWF World Youth and Junior Championships held in Peru. Kim Yong Ju won three
May 07, 2025
DPRK weightlifter Kim Yong Ju came first at the 2025 IWF World Youth and Junior Championships held in Peru. Kim Yong Ju won three
Among the first winners of the Natural Science Prize newly instituted this year is Prof. Im Song Jin, PhD and chief of a lab in
May 07, 2025
Among the first winners of the Natural Science Prize newly instituted this year is Prof. Im Song Jin, PhD and chief of a lab in
An event took place at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on May 5 to mark International Day of the Midwife 2025. Present there were
May 07, 2025
An event took place at the Taedonggang Diplomatic Club on May 5 to mark International Day of the Midwife 2025. Present there were
A new system has been launched in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to support the education of children with
May 07, 2025
A new system has been launched in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to support the education of children with
True to the Workers’ Party of Korea’s childcare policy, different parts of the country are making further efforts to expand
May 06, 2025
True to the Workers’ Party of Korea’s childcare policy, different parts of the country are making further efforts to expand
Medical education institutes across the country are making efforts to train practical talents. Pyongyang University of Medical
May 06, 2025
Medical education institutes across the country are making efforts to train practical talents. Pyongyang University of Medical
One day in early May in 1998 Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Sogwang Temple at the foot of Mt Solbong in Kangwon Province’s Kosan
May 06, 2025
One day in early May in 1998 Chairman Kim Jong Il visited the Sogwang Temple at the foot of Mt Solbong in Kangwon Province’s Kosan
One day in December 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un called an official. He asked the official about the plan for funding
May 05, 2025
One day in December 2021, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un called an official. He asked the official about the plan for funding
May 5 is International Day of the Midwife. Marking the day every year, the International Confederation of Midwives presents a
May 05, 2025
May 5 is International Day of the Midwife. Marking the day every year, the International Confederation of Midwives presents a
“Song of the Ten-point Programme of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland” is one of the immortal works
May 05, 2025
“Song of the Ten-point Programme of the Association for the Restoration of the Fatherland” is one of the immortal works
A schoolchildren’s art group of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace led by Kim Song Il, vice-chairman of the Central Committee
May 04, 2025
A schoolchildren’s art group of the Mangyongdae Schoolchildren’s Palace led by Kim Song Il, vice-chairman of the Central Committee
More Articles
