Won Myong-Gyong Celebrates World Wrestling Gold With Emotional Hug For Referee | Watch

Last Updated:September 18, 2025, 12:54 IST

Won Myong-Gyong wins gold for North Korea at the 50kg World Championships, beating Zhang Yu and celebrating with heartfelt hugs.

Won Myong-Gyong won gold at the World Wrestling Championships (Picture credit: Screengrab from X)

North Korean freestyle wrestler Won Myong-Gyong on Wednesday stole the show after her final bout of the 50kg event, as she hugged the referees present in and around the ring to celebrate her triumph. She beat China’s Zhang Yu 8-2 to bag the gold medal.

The victory over Yu carried historic value for North Korea. It was just the third women’s world title ever for the country, making Won’s win a landmark for the country.

Won’s celebration reached a heartfelt peak as she embraced the referee in a long hug, overwhelmed with joy and relief, before turning to express her gratitude to the side judges as well.

Watch the viral video here:

“This medal and the championship belt I have won are just the first step in repaying my parents for all their sacrifices. From now on, I will work even harder to become an Olympic champion," Won told United World Wrestling after her title triumph.

The Korean wrestler began her campaign with a thrilling 10-8 win against Russia’s Elizaveta Smirnova. Won then thrashed Kazakhstan’s Svetlana Ankicheva 10-0.

In the quarterfinals, the Korean wrestler beat 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games silver medallist Madison Parks 12-0.

In the semifinals, Won beat former world champion Remina Yoshimoto 3-2 to move into the finals.

Won began this year on a high, having won bronze at the Asian Championships in March. On that occasion, she was beaten by Yoshimoto in the semifinals, but avenged her defeat at the World Championships this time.

Won competed at the age-group level, winning the Asian Cadet Championships in 2016 and later taking a bronze medal at the 2019 Asian Junior Championships.

Meanwhile, young Indian wrestler Antim Panghal was left to fight for a bronze medal after being outwitted by Paris Olympics silver medallist Lucia Yepez Guzman in the women’s 53kg semifinals.

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