North Korea weightlifter sets three world records for Asian Games gold

North Korean weightlifter Ri Song Gum set three world records and claimed the first gold medal for her country at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Standing at only 140cm tall, the 28-year-old Ri joined an elite group of just four weightlifters who have achieved three Asian Games golds. The pocket powerhouse won in the women's 49kg class, outshining the silver medallist from India, Mirabai Chanu, and the bronze medallist from Indonesia, Diana Tri Wijayana.

Ri's remarkable achievement came after the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) introduced new weight classes for the upcoming Olympics. To qualify for the world record, an athlete must beat the newly established mark. Ri managed to break the world record by a total of 7kg, lifting 215kg in the women's 49kg class. This feat made her the first woman to win three Asian Games weightlifting golds, joining the ranks of Iran's Mohammad Nassiri, South Korea's Kim Tae-hyun, and Iran's Behdad Salimi.

Ri expressed her joy and fulfillment in her speech at the medal ceremony, stating that she wanted to lift her country up on her small shoulders. She had never competed in the Olympics and indicated her willingness to move up to the 53kg category to chase Olympic gold in the future. Meanwhile, Chanu and Wijayana also celebrated their achievements, with Chanu fulfilling her dream of winning an Asian Games medal after three attempts.