VIDEO: Was Saddest Rio 2016 Gold-Medallist Actually Full of Joy?

Tue Aug 23, 2016 17:47:49

Ri Se-Gwang is the third person ever from North Korea to win gold – but he appeared to be fighting back tears on the podium

The North Korean gymnast known as the 'saddest gold-medallist at Rio 2016' says he was actually 'full of joy' following his victory.

Ri Se-Gwang looked to be on the verge of tears after scooping only the third gold won by an athlete from the secretive state.

The gymnast put in a near-perfect performance to beat Russia’s Denis Ablyazin and take home the title at the competition in Rio de Janeiro.

Eagle-eyed viewers who spotted Ri think he was emotional after getting a taste of the free world – while knowing that he will soon be heading back to impoverished North Korea.

However the Olympic champion told journalists he was in fact happy.

string(1002) "[{"id":"1850908","sort":"3610043","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/08/16/alalam_636069399241616943_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"PHOTOS: Incredible Olympic Meme of Rio 2016 Jamaican Runner Usain Bolt"} ,{"id":"1851042","sort":"3610044","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/08/16/alalam_636069603381889190_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"VIDEO: SHOCKING MOMENT Aerial Camera Breaks from its Cables in Olympic Park in Rio+ PHOTOS"} ,{"id":"1851360","sort":"3610045","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/08/17/alalam_636070446589954777_25f_4x3.jpg","title":"An Interesting Look at Al Klalifa Policy and Bahrain in Olympic"} ,{"id":"1852127","sort":"3610046","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/08/19/alalam_636072420317099132_25f_4x3.mp4","title":"Police Released CCTV VIDEO: US Swimmers Vandalizing Brazil’s Rio Gas Station"} ,{"id":"1853075","sort":"3610047","contenttypeid":"21","pic":"/2016/08/22/alalam_636074575806948269_25f_4x3.mp4","title":"VIDEO: Wet, Windy Weather Failed to Stop Rio Olympics 2016 Closing Ceremony"} ]"