Sport Specific Information |
| When and where did you begin this sport? |
She began weightlifting at age 10 at a physical education school in Pyongyang, Democratic People's Republic of Korea. |
Further Personal Information |
| Occupation |
Athlete |
General Interest |
| Injuries |
She suffered a torn labrum in her left hip during her third snatch attempt at the 2015 World Championships in Houston, TX, United States of America, and was assisted off the stage by medical staff. Although she was advised to retire from the competition, she decided to continue and despite injuring another muscle and hurting her left knee during her three subsequent clean and jerk attempts, she won three silver medals at the tournament. She was helped onto the victory ceremony podium by gold medallist Kang Yue of the People's Republic of China and bronze medallist Olga Zubova of the Russian Federation. (olympics.nbcsports.com, 29 Nov 2015; iwf.net, 28 Nov 2015) |
Sport Specific Information |
| Club / Team |
Kigwancha Sports Club: DPR Korea |
General Interest |
| Famous relatives |
Her younger sister Rim Un-Sim has represented the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in weightlifting. (hani.co.kr, 25 Aug 2018; SportsDeskOnline, 02 Aug 2018; hankookilbo.com, 13 Aug 2016) |
Sport Specific Information |
| Why this sport? |
Coach Kim Chun-Hee noticed her talent for the sport. |
General Interest |
| Awards and honours |
She was named one of the Top 10 Best Athletes in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in 2015, 2016 , 2018 and 2019. (tongilnews.com, 27 Dec 2019, 01 Jan 2019; news.joins.com, 02 Jan 2017, 13 Aug 2016)
In 2018 she was presented with a Citation Award in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (spnews.co.kr, 01 Jan 2019)
She has received the title of the People's Athlete and the title of the Effort Hero in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. (Koryo Sport YouTube channel, 04 Jan 2018; dc.koreatimes.com, 04 Aug 2016) |
Sport Specific Information |
| Name of coach |
Kim Chun-Hee [club], PRK |
Further Personal Information |
| Languages |
Korean |
| Residence |
DPR Korea |
General Interest |
| Most influential person in career |
Coach Kim Chun-Hee. (Koryo Sport YouTube channel, 04 Jan 2018) |
| Milestones |
She became the first female DPR Korean athlete in any sport to win two gold medals at the Olympic Games. She triumphed in the 69kg category at the 2012 Games in London, and then claimed victory in the 75kg category four years later in Rio de Janeiro. (SportsDeskOnline, 02 Aug 2018; news.mk.co.kr, 13 Aug 2016; news.imaeil.com, 26 Aug 2018) |
| Nicknames |
Himjangsa Chenyeo (Koryo Sport YouTube channel, 04 Jan 2018) |
Rio de Janeiro
London
Pattaya
Ashgabat
Houston, TX
Almaty
Antalya
Ningbo
Jakarta
Incheon