Pak Hyon-suk of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea appeared immensely happy when she received a standing ovation after winning the Women's Weightlifting 63 kilogram final at the Beijing Olympics 2008. Her country must be really proud of her, as Pak brought the first gold medal to the DPRK in Beijing. In the Snatch, Pak Hyon-suk lifted 106kg after three attempts, followed by 104kg from Lu Ying-Chi of Chinese Taipei.

 

Nekrassova lifted 110kg with her remaining attempts and led the contest with four kilograms. Irina Nekrassova of Kazakhstan set the mood for the finals after lifting 105kg in the Snatch at her first attempt. In the Clean and Jerk, Nekrassova couldn’t make a better attempt and lifted 130 kg of weight. Pak failed her first attempts on 135 kgs, but with the determination to grab gold, she lifted 135 kgs of weight.

 

Pak earned the gold with a total weight of 241kg, while Nekrassova got the silver with a total weight 240kg. Lu Ying-Chi secured the third position and thus, got the bronze medal with a total weight of 231kg. Pak’s gold medal is the first ever Weightlifting Olympic gold medal brought to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.