North Korea wins first Olympic medal in 8 years with fairytale table tennis run | NK News
NK News Logo
November 21, 2024
NK News is hiring
News

North Korea wins first Olympic medal in 8 years with fairytale table tennis run

Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong defeated one higher-ranked opponent after another en route to silver in mixed doubles event

A little-known North Korean table tennis duo has capped a fairytale run at the Summer Games in Paris by winning their country’s first Olympic medal in eight years, bringing home silver in the mixed doubles event.

Ri Jong Sik and Kim Kum Yong entered the competition as the lowest-ranked team but vanquished one higher-ranked opponent after another to make it to the final, where they lost to favorites Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha of China by a score of 4-2 (11-6, 7-11, 11-8, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8).

Become a member for less
than $5.75 per week.

  • Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis
  • The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop
  • Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns
  • Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting
Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts.
Subscribe now

All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time.