North Korea grabs record 5th weightlifting Games gold

North Korea swept to a nationalrecord fifth weightlifting gold as they dominated the 63 kilograms class for their first ever Asian Games women’s one-two in the sport Friday.

It was the little-known Kim Hyosim who pulled off a shock win, trouncing her namesake compatriot and Rio Olympic silver medalist Choe Hyo-sim by the huge margin of 12 kilograms.

Kim couldn’t hold back the tears on the podium as she received gold and then tried to break into a smile, but thought better of it with the frosty-looking Choe standing crestfallen beside her.

Her win pushed the secretive nation past its record Asian Games record of four golds achieved in Incheon four years ago.

Kim, 24, said she had struggled with a leg injury since her only international win, the Asian Junior Cup in 2013.

“I was able to do well at the national championships this year and get back into the team,” Kim said.

“I didn’t represent my country for four years because of my injury. I can’t quite believe it.”

Kim was overwhelmed with emotion at her first senior championships gold as she sang the national anthem draped in the North Korean flag flanked by the stony-faced Choe.

“I couldn’t stop the tears when I thought of General Kim Jong-un,” Kim said. “It is thanks to General Kim Jong-un, the national team and the good environment for training that I won this gold medal.”

Kim took an early 8-kilogram advantage on Choe with a 113-kilogram snatch and she never looked like yielding as she produced three flawless clean and jerks, the final attempt 137 kilograms for a 250-kilogram total.