Defending champion Guozheng Zhang of China overcame a shaky performance and an opponent's world junior record to win the 69-kilogram class at the world weightlifting championships Sunday.

Guozheng Zhang of China lifts in the clean and jerk category in the men's 69 kilogram weight class in group A at the World Weightlifting Championship in Vancouver British Columbia November 16, 2003. Zhang won the men's 69 kilogram weight class in group A with 345.0 kilograms lifted. [Reuters]

Zhang hoisted a total of 345 kilograms to stay ahead of Russian junior Vladislav Lukanin, who won the clean and jerk but finished five kilos behind in total weight. Zhang won the snatch competition by finally making his starting weight of 152.5 kg on his third and final attempt. "From the beginning, I had trouble because of the scheduling," said Zhang, who was fourth at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. "My training was not very successful.

"The lifts were not coming as easily as I thought."

Lukanin, 19, a history student, took the overall silver over Korean Bae-Young Lee because of lower body weight.

Body weight was also a factor in claiming the clean and jerk gold from Zhang as both lifted 192.5 kg. Zhang couldn't get out of the squat position with 195 kg. in his final lift.

"This win feels great because I wanted to go for it (a medal)," said Lukanin, who set junior records for clean and jerk and total weight.

They surpassed the previous standards of 187.5 kg. for the clean and jerk and 335 kg. total set by Rudik Petrosyan of Armenia.

Zhang barely stayed in the competition when he chose to start the snatch at 152.5 kg., the heaviest opening lift of any competitor, and failed in his first two attempts.

There were only five seconds remaining in the one-minute time limit to begin the third lift.

Zhang won the snatch gold over Pole Arkadiusz Smolka, the 2000 Olympic champion, who lifted the same weight but had a heavier body weight.

The world championships will qualify 187 lifters for the 2004

Summer Olympics in Athens.

The event has attracted 636 athletes from 86 countries. The top 27 men's and 17 women's teams will qualify competitors for the Olympics.

Competition continues Monday when the women's 58-kilogram title will be determined.

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