DPRK Women Boxers Finalists at 3rd Taiwan Invitational Tournament

DPRK women boxers Ri Hyang Mi (L) and Ri Kwang Suk (R) placed first in their respective weight categories at the 3rd Taipei City Cup international tournament held during 15-18 August 2013 (Photo: KCNA).

DPRK women boxers Ri Hwang Mi, Ri Kwang Suk, U Yong Gum and Kim Hwang Mi who participated in the 3rd Taipei City Cup invitational international boxing tournament held during 15-18 August 2013 (Photo: Rodong Sinmun).

Four DPRK women boxers were finalists at the 3rd Taipei City Cup International Boxing Tournament held from 15 to 18 August in Taiwan.  Ri Hyang Mi, who has been boxing for over a decade, was first in the 51 kg weight category.  Ri defeated Taiwan’s Man Ting Pai in the preliminaries, Sri Lanka’s Kaluhath E.G.D.Da Silva in the quarter-finals, Mongolia’s Nandintsetse Myagmardulam in the semi-finals and defeated her fellow DPRK pugilist Kim Hyang Mi in the finals.  2nd place finalist in the 51 kg weight class Kim Hyang Mi defeated Taiwan’s Meng-Chieh Ping during the quarter finals and Thailand’s Sopida Satumrum in the semi finals.

Ri Kwang Suk, also took first place in the 60 kg weight class, defeating Singapore’s Nurshahidah Roslie in preliminaries, Thailand’s Peamwilai Laopeam in the quarter finals, Kazakhstan’s Gulzhan Ubbiniyazova in the semi finals and Australia’s Bianca Elmir in the finals.  U Yong Gum placed second in the 48 kg weight class.  U defeated Indonesia’s Beatrix Sugaro in preliminaries, Kazakstan’s Dina Ilyubayeva in quarter finals, Sri Lanka’s Kosala Nilmini in semifinals, but she was beaten by Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat during the finals in a 2:1 decision.

Australia’s Bianca Elmir (red) fighting against the DPRK RI Kwang Suk (blue) in Taipei on 18 August 2013 (Photo by Paul Oliver).