FORDE, Norway, Oct 8 — In a performance that stunned the weightlifting world, North Korea’s Song Kuk-hyang swept aside the field in the women’s 69 kg division at the World Weightlifting Championships today. She not only took gold but also shattered world records in both the snatch and the clean & jerk, finishing on a historic 270 kg total.
The crowd at Forde fell silent, then erupted. As the final weights touched the bar, Song locked eyes with her coaches, nodded, and hoisted 150 kg in the clean & jerk—the heaviest lift of the competition. That mark, combined with her earlier 120 kg snatch, pushed her total to two kilos above any woman in history in that weight class.
Colombian lifter Julieth Rodriguez, who took silver, totaled 241 kg—29 kg behind Song. The gap left no doubt: this was a statement, not a contest.
From the stands to the press room, the mood was electric. A small contingent of North Korean officials cheered and embraced each other. At her post-match press conference, Song’s team coach, Kim Chun Hui, spoke with pride: “We expected very good results here and we got them, especially from the women.”
This win marks Song’s second world title and caps off a dominant campaign by North Korean women, who swept every available gold in the competition. Their resurgence on the international stage has drawn attention ever since the country resumed global competition following extended isolation during the pandemic.
For the other lifters, the air was thick with both awe and disappointment. Many had hoped for tighter margins. The weightlifting community now faces questions: how far can Song push the limits, and how soon will her marks be challenged?
The emotional weight of this achievement is profound—not just for Song, but for her country. In a time when North Korea’s sporting presence has been limited, her victory offers a rare moment of international spotlight. For the fans who travel far, the coaches who breathed through every lift, and the tiny team that believed she could, today’s triumph will resonate for years.
In Forde tonight, Song Kuk-hyang joins the pantheon of legends. Her record isn’t just in kilos—it’s in audacity, precision, and the strength to stand above the rest.
Source: Reuters
