North Korean top brass sees Kim's Rio fairytale end
World number two Ding Ning ensured an all-China women's Olympic table tennis final by ending the eye-catching run of North Korean underdog Kim Song-I on Tuesday.
Among those supporting the 50th in the world Kim from the stands at the Riocentro complex was Choe Ryong-hae.
A vice-marshal, Choe is one of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's top lieutenants and the strongman's former military second-in-command.
With a badge proudly pinned to his lapel portraying the founder of the isolationist communist state Kim Il-sung and his son who succeeded him, Kim Jong-il, Choe took his seat, whilst a five-strong security detail kept a watchful eye over him.
A Rio Olympics volunteer said he was there "to make sure no one takes any photos" of the 66-year-old elder statesman.
The black-suited politician sat impassively, clapping occasionally, as right-handed defender Kim attempted to cope with the agile attacker she faced in Ding, a left-hander.
Choe's face lit up when petite 21-year-old Kim managed to take the second set but the North Korean player was always struggling to keep tabs on Ding, eventually succumbing 11-5, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3, 11-9.
Ding will face Li Xiaoxia later in a repeat of the London 2012 final won by Li.
Kim is one of 31 North Koreans competing in Rio.
They left London four years ago with a four-gold harvest, including three in weightlifting. In Rio they have two silver medals so far, both in weightlifting.
The 26-year-old Ding meanwhile now has a chance to avenge her defeat in London against her compatriot with China now guaranteed an astonishing 25th gold out of the 28 since table tennis was introduced in 1988.
Victory will also see her become only the fifth woman to complete the grand slam of Olympics, world champion and world cup.
In the earlier semi-final world number five Li swept aside Japan's Ai Fukuhara in straight sets 11-4, 11-3, 11-1, 11-1.
Fukuhara, who showed her off-court skills as a plumber when fixing a toilet in the Rio Olympic Village last week, will face Kim for the bronze medal.