It is Yang Kyong Il who bagged a gold medal at the 55kg category freestyle event in the 2009 World Wrestling Championship.

The wrestling of the DPRK has covered the road of rapid development from the 1980s. The wrestlers have registered world startling successes in the international contests, fluttering high the national flag of the Republic.

Kim Chol Hwan became a two-time world champion by winning the 22nd and 23rd world freestyle wrestling championships.

Among the two-time world championship holders are Kim Yong Sik and Ri Jae Sik.

The wrestling stars include Kim Il who won two Olympic gold medals and Ri Hak Son who placed first in the 52kg category freestyle contest in the 25th Olympiad.

All of them are loved by the Korean people for having enhanced the national glory with gold medals.