Street party marks Liu's record lifts

The people of Qishan, Shandong province, took to the streets yesterday to pay tribute to their very own golden girl, Olympic champion weightlifter Liu Chunhong.

Fireworks lit up a balloon-filled sky, and drummers and Yangko opera performers entertained a jubilant crowd following the 23-year-old's triple record-breaking performance in the 69 kg division.

A champion in Athens in 2004, Liu began the defense of her title in the snatch with a world record-breaking lift of 128 kg, which she followed with another world best of 158 kg in the clean and jerk. Inevitably, her combined total of 286 kg was record number three.