1. Overview
Kim Kwang-song, born on February 19, 1992, is a prominent North Korean weightlifter. Competing primarily in the weightlifting 77 kg category, he has distinguished himself on the international stage, particularly at the World Weightlifting Championships and the Asian Games. His career is marked by several significant medal achievements, including a silver medal at the 2014 World Weightlifting Championships and another silver at the 2014 Asian Games. He also secured a gold medal early in his career at the 2012 Asian Youth Championships. A notable event in his career was his disqualification from the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships, despite an initial strong performance.
2. Life and Background
Kim Kwang-song's personal background includes his birth in North Korea and his physical characteristics as a competitive weightlifter.
2.1. Early Life
Kim Kwang-song was born on February 19, 1992, in North Korea. He is known by his name 김광성Gim GwangseongKorean, with the Hanja character representation 金光成Gim GwangseongKorean. As an athlete competing in the 77 kg weightlifting category, his physical attributes are tailored to the demands of his sport. He stands at 69 in (176 cm) tall and typically weighs around 168 lb (76 kg) during competition.
3. Weightlifting Career
Kim Kwang-song's weightlifting career spans several years, featuring both early successes and significant performances at major international competitions.
3.1. Early Career and Debut
Kim Kwang-song began his competitive weightlifting career by participating in youth championships. His early success came at the 2012 Asian Youth Championships held in Yangon, Myanmar. Competing in the 77 kg category, he demonstrated strong potential by securing a gold medal in the snatch with 331 lb (150 kg), a gold medal in the clean and jerk with 397 lb (180 kg), and ultimately, a gold medal in the total with 728 lb (330 kg). This early achievement marked his emergence as a promising talent in North Korean weightlifting.
3.2. Major International Competitions
Kim Kwang-song has competed in several prominent international weightlifting events, consistently delivering strong performances and earning multiple medals. His major appearances include the World Weightlifting Championships, Asian Games, and Asian Weightlifting Championships.
3.2.1. World Championships
Kim Kwang-song has participated in multiple World Weightlifting Championships. At the 2013 World Weightlifting Championships in Wrocław, Poland, he competed in the 152 lb (68.85 kg) bodyweight category. He lifted 335 lb (152 kg) in the snatch, earning him a bronze medal in that specific lift. In the clean and jerk, he successfully lifted 408 lb (185 kg), securing a silver medal. His combined total of 743 lb (337 kg) placed him third overall. He earned an overall silver medal at this event.
In 2014, he competed at the 2014 World Weightlifting Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in the 168 lb (76.35 kg) bodyweight class. He achieved a snatch of 359 lb (163 kg) after an initial failed attempt at 357 lb (162 kg), which earned him a silver medal in the snatch component. In the clean and jerk, he made successful lifts of 419 lb (190 kg), 430 lb (195 kg), and 441 lb (200 kg), claiming a gold medal in this segment. His total lift of 800 lb (363 kg) earned him an overall silver medal in the competition.
At the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships in Houston, United States, Kim Kwang-song competed at a bodyweight of 169 lb (76.76 kg). He performed well in the snatch, successfully lifting 377 lb (171 kg) and earning a silver medal for that lift. In the clean and jerk, he made two successful lifts of 425 lb (193 kg) and 443 lb (201 kg) (after failing an attempt at 443 lb (201 kg)), which placed him fourth in that specific discipline. His total lift for the competition was 820 lb (372 kg), which initially placed him in second position overall, securing an apparent silver medal. However, he was subsequently disqualified from this competition.
3.2.2. Asian Games and Championships
Kim Kwang-song has also achieved success at major regional competitions. At the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea, competing in the 168 lb (76.02 kg) bodyweight category, he lifted 370 lb (168 kg) in the snatch, earning a silver medal. He followed this with a 430 lb (195 kg) lift in the clean and jerk, also securing a silver medal in that lift. His combined total of 800 lb (363 kg) resulted in an overall silver medal for the event.
At the 2013 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, in the 168 lb (76.32 kg) bodyweight class, he lifted 359 lb (163 kg) in the snatch (silver medal) and 432 lb (196 kg) in the clean and jerk (bronze medal). His total of 791 lb (359 kg) secured him an overall bronze medal at the championships.
3.2.3. Competition Results
Kim Kwang-song's detailed performance records at major international competitions are as follows:
| Year | Event | Bodyweight (kg) | Snatch (kg) | Clean & Jerk (kg) | Total (kg) | Rank | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Result | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Result | |||||
| World Championships | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | Wrocław, Poland | 152 lb (68.85 kg) | 145 | 150 | 152 | 152 | 180 | 185 | 185 | 337 | 3 | |
| 2014 | Almaty, Kazakhstan | 168 lb (76.35 kg) | 163 | 163 | 190 | 195 | 200 | 200 | 363 | 2 | ||
| 2015 | Houston, United States | 169 lb (76.76 kg) | 162 | 166 | 171 | 171 | 193 | 201 | 201 | 372 | 2 | |
| Asian Games | ||||||||||||
| 2014 | Incheon, South Korea | 168 lb (76.02 kg) | 160 | 165 | 168 | 168 | 190 | 195 | 195 | 363 | 2 | |
| Asian Weightlifting Championships | ||||||||||||
| 2013 | Astana, Kazakhstan | 168 lb (76.32 kg) | 155 | 161 | 163 | 163 | 187 | 193 | 196 | 196 | 359 | 2 |
| Asian Youth Championships | ||||||||||||
| 2012 | Yangon, Myanmar | 167 lb (75.85 kg) | 142 | 147 | 150 | 150 | 175 | 180 | 180 | 330 | 1 | |
3.3. 2015 World Championships Disqualification
Kim Kwang-song's strong performance at the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships in Houston was overshadowed by his subsequent disqualification. Despite achieving a total lift of 820 lb (372 kg) and initially earning a silver medal, his results were later nullified. The specific reasons for his disqualification were not detailed in the available sources, but such actions typically relate to anti-doping rule violations or other breaches of competition regulations by the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). This incident marked a significant setback in his otherwise medal-rich career.
4. Achievements and Awards
Throughout his career, Kim Kwang-song has accumulated a notable collection of medals and achievements. He is a multiple medalist at the World Weightlifting Championships, having secured silver medals in 2013 and 2014. He also earned a silver medal at the prestigious 2014 Asian Games. In addition to these major accolades, he has a bronze medal from the 2013 Asian Weightlifting Championships. His career started strong with a gold medal at the 2012 Asian Youth Championships, demonstrating his talent from an early age.
5. Evaluation and Legacy
Kim Kwang-song's career is marked by his consistent high-level performance and his contributions to North Korean weightlifting, though it is also punctuated by controversy.
5.1. General Assessment
Kim Kwang-song has been a prominent figure in North Korean weightlifting, consistently delivering strong performances at the highest levels of international competition. His multiple silver medals at the World Championships and Asian Games highlight his standing as one of the leading athletes in the 77 kg category during his active years. His ability to perform well across both snatch and clean and jerk disciplines, as evidenced by his individual lift medals, underscores his well-rounded skill set as a weightlifter. He played a significant role in representing North Korea on the global weightlifting stage, contributing to the nation's presence and medal count in the sport.
5.2. Controversies and Critical Views
The primary controversy surrounding Kim Kwang-song's career is his disqualification from the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships. This event contrasts sharply with his consistent medal-winning record in other major competitions. While the specific reasons for his disqualification remain undisclosed in public records, it represents a critical point in his career, affecting his overall competitive standing and legacy. Such disqualifications often lead to questions regarding fair play and adherence to international sports regulations, placing a shadow over an otherwise impressive athletic record.