Weightlifter Rim of DPRK becomes first woman to win 69kg and 75kg at Olympics

Rim Jong Sim (PRK) of North Korea competes. [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Rim Jong Sim of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea won her second Olympic gold with ease in the women's 75kg competition here on Friday, becoming the first woman to win in both 69kg and 75kg at the Olympics. It is the first Olympic gold medal of DPRK at the Rio Games.

"I just tried really hard. I was really overwhelmed with happiness that I won this gold medal so I can send this honor to my Leader," said Rim, who claimed the 69kg title in London 2012.

The 23-year-old lifter has met no challenge at all since the snatch and she lifted 145kg in her first jerk attempt to nail the gold. She did not stop at this weight and went on to clear 153kg before she failed to break the Olympic record of 161kg at last. She won with a total of 274kg.

Darya Naumava of Belarus, fifth-place finisher at the 2015 world championships, took the silver at 258kg and the bronze went to European Champion Lidia Valentin Perez of Spain at 257kg.

"I am very happy but I am going to prepare further goals for myself regardless of anything. I was pleased to lift what I did and win a medal." Naumava said.

Rim, silver medalist at the 2015 world championships, also became the first woman to win two Olympic gold medals for the DPR Korea.

"I could have done better than winning by a margin of 16kg," Rim said.

Perez, European champion in 2014 and 2015, gave Spain its first Olympic medal in weightlifting as she was very expressive on the platform, making heart shape with her hands after lifts.

"I am very communicative and I like to celebrate when things go well and when I'm happy I like to demonstrate it," she said.

"The first time I did it was when I won the European championship and people liked it when I did it. It's for the people who come to support me and love me," she added.