Over the past years, DPRK sportspersons have proved successful at such events of Olympic Games as shooting, boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, judo and heavy gymnastics. They are always remembered by the people as they displayed the honor of the country with Olympic gold medals.

Among them is Ri Ho Jun, the first Olympic gold medalist of the country.

The DPRK took part in the 20th Olympic Games in Juche 61 (1972) for the first time. Ri scored 599 points out of 600 in a small-bore rifle shooting event of the games to renew the world and Olympic records.

In an interview, he said that he would like to impart this happy news to President Kim Il Sung and the glorious Party who brought him up to be an a-match-for-a-hundred sharp shooter.

Media of various countries featured Ri's successful result as "mysterious marksmanship", noting that DPRK players took part in the Olympic Games for the first time to gain a gold medal.

Ri Ho Jun was awarded the title of People's Athlete in 1973.