{
  "id": 9897067,
  "title": "'World records not enough': North Korea weightlifters target Olympic gold rush",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/world-records-not-enough-north-korea-weightlifters-target-olympic",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-26T03:02:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2026/09/1541425/world-records-not-enough-north-korea-weightlifters-target-olympic"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NAGOYA: North Korea's weightlifters, who have not competed in the Olympics for 12 years, are returning to the 2028 Los Angeles Games with a focus on winning gold. The secretive nation has dominated global weightlifting since resuming competition following its Covid-related isolation. At the recent Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, North Korea won four gold medals and two silvers from six events, setting seven world records in the process. Ri Song Gum, a 28-year-old strongwoman, has set her sights on the only title missing from her collection by aiming for the women's 53kg class at the 2028 Olympics. She expressed her determination to win gold in Los Angeles. Oh Kwang Ok also won the women's 57kg gold, setting three more world records in the process. The Olympic Games in 2028 is my target. I will try my best to win gold in Los Angeles. The success of North Korean weightlifters post-Covid has raised questions about their activities during the border closures, but world doping authorities have recently resumed testing in the country. North Korea strategically allocates its limited resources to sports where it believes it has the best chance of success, particularly in lighter weight classes where they have consistently excelled.",
  "summary": "NAGOYA: North Korea’s weightlifters will flex their considerable collective muscle when they return to the Olympics for the first time in 12 years at Los Angeles in 2028 – and they could be in for an American gold rush if the Asian Games is any indication.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "'World records not enough': North Korea weightlifters target Olympic gold rush",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/world-records-not-enough-north-korea-weightlifters-target-olympic-9899128",
        "published": "2026-09-26T03:37:28.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘Thought of the Olympic spot pushed me’: Anahat Singh on comeback win against World no 6",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/26/thought-of-the-olympic-spot-pushed-me-anahat-singh-on-comeback-win",
        "published": "2026-09-26T07:19:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}