1. Overview
Ri Kyong-ok (리경옥Ri Kyong-okKorean; born January 3, 1980) is a North Korean judoka who competed in the women's extra-lightweight (48 kg) division. Throughout her career, she achieved significant international success, including a silver medal at the 2001 World Judo Championships in Munich, a bronze medal at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, and both a gold and a silver medal at the Asian Judo Championships in 2001 and 2004, respectively. She also represented North Korea at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
2. Personal Background
Ri Kyong-ok was born on January 3, 1980, in Pyongyang, North Korea. She is a North Korean national and competed in the 48 kg weight class throughout her judo career. She stands at a height of 5.2 ft (1.57 m) and weighs 106 lb (48 kg).
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3. Career
Ri Kyong-ok emerged on the international judo scene in the early 2000s, quickly establishing herself as a formidable competitor in the 48 kg extra-lightweight category. Her career saw her achieve a total of four major international medals: one gold, two silvers, and one bronze. Beyond her notable performances at the World Championships, Asian Games, and Asian Championships, Ri also secured a third-place finish at the 2001 Grand Prix Düsseldorf (also known as the German Open). Her consistent performance in various international tournaments led to her representing North Korea at the 2004 Summer Olympics.
3.1. Major International Competitions
Ri Kyong-ok participated in several prominent international judo events, consistently earning medals and high placements in the 48 kg division.
3.1.1. World Judo Championships
Ri Kyong-ok made a significant impact at the 2001 World Judo Championships held in Munich, Germany. Competing in the 48 kg division, she advanced to the final match, where she faced Japanese judoka and 2000 Olympic champion Ryoko Tani. After a closely contested match, Ri ultimately lost by a referee's decision (a 1-2 score), securing the silver medal. This marked a major achievement early in her international career.
3.1.2. Asian Games
The following year, Ri Kyong-ok competed at the 2002 Asian Games hosted by Busan, South Korea. In the women's 48 kg division, she claimed a bronze medal. Her path to the podium included an ippon victory over Kazakhstan's Tatyana Shishkina. She shared the bronze medal with China's Shao Ran.
3.1.3. Asian Judo Championships
Ri Kyong-ok demonstrated strong performances at the Asian Judo Championships. In 2001, she won a gold medal in the 48 kg division at the Asian Championships held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. She continued her success at the 2004 Asian Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, where she earned a silver medal in the same weight class. This second-place finish also served as her qualification for the 2004 Summer Olympics.
3.1.4. Summer Olympics
Ri Kyong-ok represented North Korea at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, competing in the women's 48 kg extra-lightweight event. In her opening match, she faced Turkish judoka and two-time Olympian Neşe Şensoy Yıldız. Ri lost the match after Şensoy Yıldız scored a single waza-ari point, throwing her onto the tatami mat with a harai makikomi (hip sweep wraparound) technique within the five-minute time limit.
3.1.5. Medal Record
| Year | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Grand Prix Düsseldorf | Bronze |
| 2001 | Asian Judo Championships | Gold |
| 2001 | World Judo Championships | Silver |
| 2002 | Asian Games | Bronze |
| 2004 | Asian Judo Championships | Silver |