sports

The 2026 table-tennis tournament of persons with disabilities and amateurs is going on in Pyongyang. 

The tournament has brought together more than 60 disabled persons and amateurs.

In the competition held in the mode of team event, each team of two players has to play two rounds of doubles and one round of singles with the other teams. 

According to Ri Kum Son, staffer of the Korea Sports Association of Persons with Disabilities, more than 30 teams formed by lot will play league matches, divided into eight groups, and winners and runners-up from each group play knock-out games.

On the first day of the tournament there were group league matches of groups A, B and C.

What drew special attention were the team of disabled persons Kim Yong Rok and Jon Ju Hyon and that of amateurs Kim Thae Song and Ri Hak Song belonging to group A.

Kim Yong Rok and Jon Ju Hyon previously distinguished themselves at both domestic and international games. In particular, they took the second place in the MD14 of the ITTF Asian Para Championships 2025 held in China in October last year.

Meanwhile, Kim Thae Song and Ri Hak Song finished in the top three at several domestic table tennis games of the amateur category including the 2024 National Open Table Tennis Games.

The two teams overpowered their rivals before competing in the match to decide the final rankings in the group. 

The match was so keen that the spectators watched it breathlessly. 

In group A, the team of Kim Thae Song and Ri Hak Song was placed first and that of Kim Yong Rok and Jon Ju Hyon second to be qualified for the next stage. 

In group B, the team of amateurs Chae Yong Rim and Kim Ju Myong won first place and that of disabled player Kim Hak Yong and his amateur partner came second.

Kim Thae Song said with admiration that he was deeply impressed by the disabled players’ perseverance and stamina and that their level of playing was very high.

“I do not care about rankings. I take pleasure in such matches. I respect all amateurs, who became my friends and have always shown concern for me,” Kim Yong Rok told a journalist asking him if he had regret about taking second place.