Mr. Kim Gwan U
PYONGYANG
-- Youths prevail over the old is a law of nature in
physical competitions. However, Mr. Kim Gwan U's case is
different.
The 62-year-old wrestling veteran last July bested young rivals one by one to be the oldest Korean folk wrestling champion in the National Sports Contest.
His glory in the over-85-kg-class competition was a stunning encouragement to old and retired seniors in the DPRK where the longevity rate is rapidly growing.
"As it is said in our country that a sexagenarian is still young. I was determined to carry off a title at the age of over 60." said the master of the national sport who added luster to his brilliant career last September by winning a "technical award" at the biannual TV Korean Wrestling Championships, sponsored by the Mansudae TV Broadcast.
At present, his weight is 90 kg, pulsation 65-70 and blood pressure 80-125. These figures are exactly the same as when he was in Kim ll Sung University, known as a "wrestler of matchless valor." His amazing conditions have been main-tainted and adjusted by 15-minute daily running and light exercises.
Eight bulls, two pigs, two goats, 160 meters of cloth, etc. were prizes he had obtained in the past big games. However, all of them were dedicated to factories and a school.
The master of the traditional Korean sport is the manager of spectacles' factory in Pyongyang in which he has been working for the past 35 years. (Article by Song Ryang Su, photos by Mun Gwang Son )
(Note) Sirum or Korean wrestling is played by two wrestlers who wrestle to throw down the opponent.
Copyright © 1997
The People's Korea. All rights reserved.