Agony and ecstasy as Song-gum takes North Korea’s first Asiad gold

Gold medallist Ri Song Gum of North Korea celebrates on the podium during the victory ceremony of the womens 48kg weightlifting event during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta on August 20, 2018. (Photo by MONEY SHARMA / AFP)

NORTH Korea bagged their first gold of the Asian Games when weightlifter Ri Song-gum (pic) pipped local favourite Sri Wahyuni Agustiani to win the women’s 48kg class.

Song-gum, who is just 140cm (4ft 7in) tall, hoisted a massive 112kg in her first clean and jerk attempt to power past Agustiani who had taken a shock one kilogramme lead after the first snatch discipline.