1. Personal Background
Kim Un-guk was born on October 28, 1988, in Pyongyang, North Korea. He represents the April 25 Sports Club, a prominent sports organization in North Korea.
2. Career and Achievements
Kim Un-guk has had a distinguished career in international weightlifting, securing numerous medals and setting records across various major competitions.
2.1. Olympic Games
Kim Un-guk's most significant achievement came at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom, where he competed in the men's 62 kg division. In the snatch portion of the event, he lifted 337 lb (153 kg), setting a new Olympic record and matching the then-current world record. He followed this by lifting 384 lb (174 kg) in the clean and jerk, achieving a total of 721 lb (327 kg). This combined total established a new world record, earning him the gold medal.
2.2. World Weightlifting Championships
Kim Un-guk has been a consistent medalist at the World Weightlifting Championships.
He won his first gold medal at the 2010 World Weightlifting Championships in Antalya, Turkey, competing in the 62 kg category. He secured a silver medal at the 2011 World Weightlifting Championships in Paris, France. In 2013, he earned another silver medal at the championships held in Wrocław, Poland. His second gold medal at the World Championships came in 2014 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
However, his participation in the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships in Houston, United States, resulted in a disqualification due to a doping violation, leading to the stripping of his medals from that event.
2.3. Asian Games
Kim Un-guk has also achieved considerable success at the Asian Games.
At the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, he won a silver medal in the 62 kg category with a total lift of 699 lb (317 kg).
His performance at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, was particularly remarkable. He clinched the gold medal in the 62 kg category, setting new world records in both the snatch and total. He lifted 340 lb (154 kg) in the snatch and achieved a total of 732 lb (332 kg).
2.4. Asian Weightlifting Championships
Kim Un-guk has competed successfully in the Asian Weightlifting Championships. He earned a silver medal at the 2011 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Tongling, China, and a gold medal at the 2013 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
2.5. East Asian Games
In 2009, Kim Un-guk participated in the 2009 East Asian Games held in Hong Kong. He secured a gold medal in the 62 kg weightlifting event with a total lift of 683 lb (310 kg).
3. Records and Personal Bests
Kim Un-guk has set significant records throughout his career, particularly in the 62 kg weightlifting category.
| Lift | Result | Location | Competition | Record Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snatch | 340 lb (154 kg) | Incheon, South Korea | 2014 Asian Games | Asian Games Record, World Record | September 21, 2014 |
| Clean and Jerk | 392 lb (178 kg) | Incheon, South Korea | 2014 Asian Games | - | September 21, 2014 |
| Total | 732 lb (332 kg) | Incheon, South Korea | 2014 Asian Games | Asian Games Record, World Record | September 21, 2014 |
His personal bests include:
- Snatch: 340 lb (154 kg) (achieved in 2014, which was both an Asian Games Record and a World Record)
- Clean and jerk: 392 lb (178 kg) (achieved in 2014)
- Total: 732 lb (332 kg) (achieved in 2014, also an Asian Games Record and a World Record)
4. Awards and Titles
Following his success in international competitions, particularly his Olympic gold medal, Kim Un-guk was honored by the North Korean state. He was awarded the titles of "Labor Hero" and "People's Athlete", which are prestigious national recognitions for outstanding achievements benefiting the country.
5. Doping Incident and Disqualification
In 2015, Kim Un-guk failed a doping test at the 2015 World Weightlifting Championships in Houston. As a result of the positive test, his results from the championship were disqualified, and he was stripped of the medals he had originally won at that event. The doping violation also led to his ineligibility to participate in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.