Pyongyang, January 11 (KCNA) -- The Kigwancha Sports Team, which has contributed to the country's sports development, marked its 70th founding anniversary.

President Kim Il Sung took a measure to organize the sports team on January 11, 1956 and saw to it that it has played a leading role in developing the country's sports.

Chairman Kim Jong Il expressed belief that the team would fulfill its mission and role as a sports team representing the working class.

The Kigwancha Sports Team is glorifying its honor as a dignified sports organization, achieving proud successes that stir up the whole country along with the new era of the Juche revolution.

The sports team has won more than 1 140 medals including over 420 gold medals in international games and produced many sports stars in the past period.

Among them are women volleyball players who defeated strong teams at the 6th World Women's Volleyball Championships and Kim Un Hyang who took the first place in the women's balance beam event of the 17th Asian Games.

At the 21st World Gymnastic Championships held in Moscow in 1981, Ri Chol Hon displayed high technique to create a gymnastic movement called by his name.

Rim Jong Sim bagged 37 medals including 20 gold medals at various international games including the 30th and 31st Olympic Games and the 2019 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships, creating a great sensation in the world weightlifting circle.

The sports team was awarded Order of Kim Il Sung and Order of National Flag First Class. It also received congratulatory messages and letters of thanks from the Party Central Committee several times and produced high-ranking state order-bearers and dozens of People's Athletes and Merited Athletes. -0-