The Asian Games 2023 is going to mark the comeback of North Korea into competitive sport after more than three years. As many as 191 athletes’ participation has been confirmed for the event starting on September 23 in Hangzhou, China. North Korea’s participation in the Asian Games also means increased competition for all, with them being strong at weightlifting.
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North Korea had tightly sealed its borders right after COVID-19 and had missed the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as well. As per the organizers, their participation at the Asian Games is confirmed. Their athletes will take part in events like athletics, gymnastics, basketball, football, boxing, and weightlifting.
North Korea was supposed to end its non-participation at a weightlifting competition in Cuba in June, but that didn’t happen. For the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, they were banned for not being part of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Finally, the border restrictions eased out a bit in North Korea, and they were part of a taekwondo competition in Kazakhstan.
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At the Asian Games 2023, the North Korean football team will first take part in a football match against Taiwan. Their star weightlifters, Ri Song Gum and Rim Un Sim, who won golds in weightlifting at the last Asian Games, are part of the squad.