sports

The 19th Grand Bull Prize National Ssirum Contest took place at the national ssirum ground on Rungna Islet in Pyongyang on September 5-6.

Wondering who would win the 19th Grand Bull Prize, huge crowds thronged the ground to see the contest of strength and wits.

One best player from each province (city under the direct control of the government) could take part in the contest which decided the rankings through catch-weight matches and therefore it was very fierce from the preliminary matches.

Divided into four groups, the participants played group league and additional matches and winners of them advanced to the finals to compete on a knock-out basis.

Song Chol Min from Pyongyang drew the attention of spectators as he had looked forward to the third consecutive victory. Whenever he defeated his opponent soundly, spectators gave him a big hand.

Unexpectedly, however, Choe Tong Bom from North Phyongan Province was crowned champion.

He was third in the placings in the previous contests, but now beat Kang Song Gun from Jagang Province and Pyongyang’s Song Chol Min, who are heavier than him.

Kang weighing less than Song also outdid Song to come second in the final.

Experts said it is the success of the 19th contest as well as of the two players.

In the ssirum contest in which a player has to take his opponent’s thigh band, the one with less weight or lower height is inferior to his opponent in the grabbing of the thigh band, which has a big influence on the match.

Therefore, relatively small players need agility, quick estimation of the situation, making of correct decision and boldness. Choe and Kang could beat Song as they had the initiative and played games boldly by giving full play to such abilities.

After the contest, Choe said: “I will never forget this game forever. It is not only because I emerged victorious in the tough match, but also because ssirum is an excellent sport which enabled me to experience the pleasure of defeating a larger and stronger opponent.”

The spectators heartily applauded as they saw thrilling matches whose results were unexpected.

The trophy cup, medals and diplomas were awarded to winners.