sports

The 2025 Kalmaegi (sea gull) Cup canoeing competition was held from April 23 to May 1 on the Taedong River in Pyongyang.

The competition added colour to the Taedong River, where the general service-ship Mujigae, the floating restaurant Taedonggang and sightseeing boats are cruising around against the backdrop of the Tower of the Juche Idea.

Attended by players of the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport and Piryugang sports clubs and Central Sports School, among other sports clubs, it included canoeing singles and doubles 1 000m, 500m and 200m events, canoeing mixed doubles 500m event, kayaking singles, doubles and four-man 1 000m , 500m and 200m events and dragon boat 200m event.

As the starting pistol was fired, the players paddled their boats dynamically while the spectators shouted in time to their paddling and encouraged them with enthusiastic cheers as they reached the finish line.

In the competition, players of the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport sports club collected gold medals in almost all events.

Professionals and fans commented that the cooperation between the club’s players was very effective throughout the games.

The most popular of the events was kayaking four-man event. 

Even though they made a later start, the players of the Ministry of Land and Maritime Transport never got flurried but breathed as one and moved in concert with each other to cross the finish line before others.

The nine-day competition held amid the interest of many professionals and fans ended with the dragon boat 200m event and relevant prizes were awarded to successful players.