NAGOYA, Japan, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- As DPR Korea's Ri Song Gum held her second clean-and-jerk attempt overhead and three white lights confirmed a successful lift, the hall fell silent for a split second before her country's supporters erupted in synchronized applause, waving national flags.
The 28-year-old broke all three world records in the women's 49kg category at the 2026 Asian Games on Wednesday, lifting 94kg in the snatch and 121kg in the clean and jerk for a combined total of 215kg.
Her performance secured DPR Korea's first gold medal of the Games and her third consecutive Asian Games title.
"I am so happy, I don't even know what to say," Ri said.
Ri first won Asian Games gold in Jakarta in 2018 before breaking world records at Hangzhou in 2023. Wednesday's triumph completed a hat-trick of titles, although her journey has been interrupted by her country's absence from the Tokyo Olympics due to pandemic.
"My dream was put on hold from the Tokyo Olympics era, because the pandemic blocked our way," she said. "Today, I feel that dream has finally come true."
Asked by a South Korean reporter whether her success was attributable to individual talent or state support, Ri credited the encouragement she had received from her compatriots.
"It's not that I'm that great myself," she said. "The reason I can stand on this top podium today is the trust and expectations the people have placed on me. That's what I bring with me every time I step onto the platform."
"Every time, it's the people who celebrate with me and give me the confidence to keep winning gold," she added. "I've always wanted to live up to their expectations. Today's competition was really tough. But I want to dedicate this gold to the people who trust me, my coach, and my beloved parents."
Despite her record-breaking performance, Ri faces another challenge if she hopes to fulfill her Olympic ambitions.
The women's 49kg category is not on the weightlifting program for the 2028 Olympics, meaning she would have to change weight class to compete.
Asked whether she would consider moving up a category in pursuit of Olympic glory, Ri glanced at her coach. The pair exchanged a smile before she delivered an emphatic answer of "yes". ■
