sports

The news that a DPRK player won the 20th Asian Marathon Championships held in China last March brought pleasure to the people all across his country.

The champion is Han Il Ryong of the Amnokgang Sports Club.

Born into a family of common farmers in Rinsan County in North Hwanghae Province, he learned the rudiments of athletics at a sports school in the county. Later, he was picked by the Amnokgang Sports Club, where he improved his physical and technical abilities as a player.

He underwent rigorous training according to his ambitious goal and began to make remarkable success in national and international games some years afterwards.

He continued his winning streak in the domestic marathon race from 2021 to 2023, thus becoming a domestic marathon star and came second in the men's marathon of the 19th Asian Games in 2023.

As a result, he was selected as one of the top ten players of the DPRK for 2023.

He made uninterrupted efforts for victory and improved in ability with each passing day.

Han demonstrated his competence from the beginning of the race at the 20th Asian Marathon Championships. He led others from the beginning to the 15km point. He then adjusted his pace while running in the leading group with composure and started to gather speed at the 30km point. He left others far behind and crossed the finish line more than 200 metres ahead of the runner-up.

He breasted the tape, displaying the DPRK flag on his uniform.

He set a new record of the championships and won a trophy and gold medal.