First North Korean Gold Medal

The North Korean national anthem was heard for the first time after the opening ceremony of the 2006 Doha Asian Games.

After South Korean Lee Won-hui (25) won a gold medal in judo yesterday, North Korean Ahn Geum Ae (26) also received her country’s first gold medal.

“I fought completely with the Chosun spirit.”

Ahn Geum-ae, competing in the women’s 52kg judo class, replied to a winner’s impression request as she quickly walked out of the arena.

Ahn was selected as North Korea’s 2005 best athlete after winning the Asian championship and receiving a bronze in the world championship. North Korea had strong faith in her as a gold medalist even before this match.

After passing the first round by default, she beat Liying (China) in the second round by bracketing her heels. She reached the finals after beating the world’s second best Yuki Yokosawa (Japan). After battling Munhbatar (Mongolia) for a minute, Ahn defeated her with a knee slam.

North Korea Judo Committee’s Park Hak Yeong (43) commented after the game, “I was sure of a win when she defeated the Chinese player in the first game. Geum Ae was third in last year’s Cairo world championship. However, she won the gold medal after defeating last year’s number one and two players.”

Hong Ok Seong, another North Korean expected to win gold, received a bronze medal in the 57kg category. We met Ahn who was walking out of the arena after changing into a track suit.

We asked for a comment once again, but she got on the bus without saying a word. Park, who was standing next to her, said, “Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”

why@donga.com