sports

The 2024 Games of Disabled Persons and Amateurs took place at the Handball Gymnasium on Chongchun Street in Pyongyang.

Since all amateurs can take part in the event along with disabled persons, the games grow in scale every year and people’s interest is growing increasingly.

The recent contest brought together over 600 persons with disabilities and sports amateurs in Pyongyang. Table tennis competition was played in four categories and tennis and badminton in three categories respectively.

Disabled players were the objects of admiration of spectators in the table tennis tournament.

They not only showed off strong mental strength and noble sportsmanship in every match but also displayed high skills, thus leaving spectators with deep impression.

Many people cheered Kim Yong Rok, who was familiar with spectators through several rounds of sports games of disabled persons and amateurs. He was placed first in the doubles of table tennis and third in the singles.

After the game was over, he said, "The number of players in the annual tournament increases and the level of the game grows. Though I came third this year, I am pleased to see the new looks of newcomers."

Ho Jong Chol won the first place in the table tennis tournament for the first category (disabled), Kim Yong Rok and Chae Yong Il in the second category (disabled and amateur), Ri Kwang Hyok, Jon Hyon Chol and Kwon Chol In in the third category (men’s amateur team event) and Ri Tok Bong, Kim Chang Il and Han Wi Sok in the fourth category (aged amateurs).

Tennis matches were played after the table tennis tournament rounded off.

Kim Kyong Il and Ri Hyok Chol won the men’s amateur doubles, Om Se Ryong and Choe Song Chol the men’s amateur doubles in the aged category, and Pak Won Chol and Yun Kum Sil in the mixed doubles.

Then the badminton contest took place.

Han Song Guk and Kil Jong Sun took the first place in the mixed doubles of the first category played by men and women amateurs aged from 20 to 39, and Jon Song Rim and Kim Kyong Sun in that of the second category played by men and women amateurs aged from 40 to 59.

Kim In Chol and O Chun Hyang won the third category.

People enthusiastically cheered O Chun Hyang, a disabled player in her twenties. She said at the podium, "Now I am very happy. Many people cheered me up all through the games and it was really invigorating and encouraging. I would like to offer my thanks to all those who loved and cheered me up enthusiastically."