North Korea secured its first gold medal at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in weightlifting on September 23.
Ri Song-gum triumphed in the women's 49 kg category at the Nagoya Small and Medium Enterprise Promotion Hall, lifting 94 kg in the snatch and 121 kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 215 kg. This marks North Korea's first gold medal of the tournament.
Ri was the only competitor to attempt 90 kg in her first snatch, which she lifted with ease, and she successfully lifted 94 kg in her second attempt, setting a world record.
In the clean and jerk, she followed up with a successful lift of 116 kg before clinching the gold with a lift of 121 kg, also a world record.
With this victory, Ri has now won gold medals in three consecutive Asian Games. She previously topped the podium in the 48 kg category at the 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Games and in the 49 kg category at the 2022 Hangzhou Games.
Approximately 200 supporters from the Korean community in Japan cheered for Ri, wearing red shirts that read 'Victory for Joseon' and waving flags.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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