North Korean boxer Bang Cheol Mi secured the third medal for North Korea at the Paris Olympics.
Bang Cheol Mi clinched a decisive 4-0 victory against Widad Bertal of Morocco in the women’s 54 kg quarterfinals held at the North Paris Arena.
Four out of five judges declared Bang Cheol Mi the winner, while one scored the bout 28-28, highlighting Bang’s clear dominance throughout the match.
This marks Bang Cheol Mi’s Olympic debut, and by advancing to the semifinals, she has guaranteed herself a medal. In Olympic boxing, both semifinalists who do not advance to the final are awarded bronze medals, ensuring at least a bronze for Bang.
Bang Cheol Mi, who won the 51 kg title at the 2018 World Championships in New Delhi, could not compete internationally for some time due to North Korea’s strict lockdown policies in response to the pandemic.
After her return at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, Bang showcased her exceptional skills by winning a gold medal. Furthermore, she comfortably progressed through the round of 16 and quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics, securing another medal.
North Korea has sent 16 athletes to compete across seven sports and has achieved a total of three medals.
Previously, the mixed doubles table tennis team of Ri Jeong Sik and Kim Geum Yong earned a silver medal, and Jo Jin Mi and Kim Mi Rae secured silver in women’s synchronized diving from the 10-meter platform. Now, Bang Cheol Mi has secured at least a bronze in boxing.
Bang Cheol Mi aims to become the first gold medalist for North Korea at the Paris Olympic Games.
Bang Cheol Mi’s semifinal opponent is Chang Wei An from China. This is a rematch after about a year since their last encounter at the Hangzhou Asian Games final, where Bang secured a 3-2 decision victory over Chang Wei An.
If both Bang Cheol Mi and Lim Ae Ji, aiming to secure Korea’s first Olympic medal in women’s boxing, reach the finals, it could set the stage for a historic North-South showdown.
Lim Ae Ji will face Yeni Marcela Arias Castañeda from Colombia in the round of 16 shortly.
Meanwhile, Bang Cheol Mi left the mixed zone alongside the North Korean boxing team coach without offering any comments after the match.
A representative from the organizing committee stated, “The North Korean athlete declined interview requests from South Korean media.”
