[Asian Games] Warm Moments in Weightlifting from North Korea... "You Will Do Well," to Kim Suhyun

North Korea's Coach Kim Chun-hui Encourages Weightlifter Kim Su-hyun
"Gained Strength from Support of Both South and North Teachers"

At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, the North Korean delegation showed aggressive behavior towards the South Korean team multiple times. However, in weightlifting, a warm-hearted scene unfolded. Kim Su-hyun, a female weightlifter who won the bronze medal, shared that she received encouragement from a North Korean team coach.

On the 5th, Kim Su-hyun competed in the women's 76kg weightlifting event held at the Xiaoshan Sports Center in Hangzhou, China, lifting 105kg in the snatch and 138kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 243kg, securing third place.

On the 5th, at the Xiaoshan Sports Center in Hangzhou, China, South Korea's Kim Su-hyun successfully lifted a 136 kg barbell in her second attempt in the clean and jerk during the women's 76 kg Group A weightlifting event at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The journey to winning the bronze medal was challenging. In the event, China's Liao Guifang (113kg), and North Korea's Song Guk-hyang and Jeong Chun-hui (both 117kg) lifted heavier snatch weights than Kim Su-hyun, already placing themselves in medal contention.

However, Liao Guifang, who was leading, withdrew midway due to injury during the snatch. Kim Su-hyun seized the opportunity and lifted 138kg in the clean and jerk to secure a medal position.

In an interview with the press after the competition, Kim Su-hyun recounted how she was encouraged by North Korean coach Kim Chun-hui before attempting the clean and jerk. She said, "When the Chinese athlete suddenly withdrew, I was preparing for the clean and jerk. The North Korean coach (Kim) came over and said, 'Su-hyun, this is your chance now.'"

Coach Kim is well-known as the mentor of Rim Jong-sim, a North Korean weightlifting hero who holds world records. Kim Su-hyun added, "Coach Kim usually calls me 'Geumsim' because she says I resemble (Rim) Jong-sim. Before the clean and jerk, she secretly came over and said, 'I think you will do well, so stay focused.' Hearing encouragement from both Korean and North Korean coaches helped me mentally prepare and gave me strength."

It is very rare for the North Korean delegation to show warm behavior towards domestic athletes at this Asian Games. Previously, in judo, a North Korean athlete who won ignored the handshake from a defeated South Korean athlete.

The South Korean men's shooting team also requested a commemorative photo with the North Korean athletes who won silver medals in the 10m running target mixed team event after winning gold, but the request was refused.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.