China's Wang Mingjuan broke two world records in the women's 48kg
category, and made a clean sweep on the opening day of the world
weightlifting championships in Doha, Qatar, on Wednesday.?
This was a repeat of Wang's successes at the last two world
championships in 2002 and 2003.
"I felt quite good today but I never expected I would succeed in
all six attempts and break the world records. I am so happy now,"
Wang told Xinhua.
Pensiri Saelaw of Thailand won the silver with her total lift of
198kg. Her compatriot, Aree Wiratthaworn, took the bronze by
hoisting 193kg.
Wang took the gold medal in the snatch competition with a lift
of 95kg, but failed to break any records.
However, the 20-year-old jerked 118kg in her last attempt to
lift a total of 213kg, breaking both jerk (by 1kg) and total weight
(by 3kg) world records.
The previous world records were held respectively by China's
Yang Lian (117kg), and Nurcan Taylan of Turkey (210kg).
Wang's left knee was severely hurt when competing in the world
championships in 2003 and she missed the Athens Olympics because of
the injury.
"This victory was so important to me because I really needed
proof that I had recovered from the injury," she said.
"I am confident of my place in the Beijing Olympics in 2008,"
she added.
Later on Wednesday, Wang Shiyuan of Chinese Taipei won the gold
medal in the men's 56kg category competition, beating South Korea's
Lee Jong-hoon by one kilogram.
The 29-year-old veteran lifted 125kg in the snatch and jerked
156kg to claim his first gold in an international competition with
a total of 281kg.
He edged out Lee, and Huang Anhtuan of Vietnam who took the
bronze with 279kg.
"I considered switching to the 62kg class because of my age, but
this gold medal has boosted my confidence and I will stay in the
56kg category," Wang said.
The International Weightlifting Federation introduced the new
one-kilo rule in May when barbell 2.5kg increments for competition,
and 0.5kg increments for the records were replaced by the new and
universal standard of 1kg multiples.
The world championships have attracted 192 strongmen and 115
strong women from 74 countries. Prize money stands at US$3,000 for
gold medallists, and US$10,000 for world-record breakers.
(Xinhua News Agency November 10, 2005)
