 Comeback Chen on top
By Zhao Rui (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-08-12 08:50 Talk about triple happiness for Chinese weightlifter Chen Yanqing. The 29-year-old yesterday defended her title in the women's 58kg class to win China its third weightlifting medal, set new Olympic records with her 244kg total lift and best effort of 138kg, and is the first woman to win two Olympic golds in the sport.
"I thought my career as an athlete was over, I never thought I would be at another Olympics and win another medal," said Chen, who came out of retirement for the fourth time to represent her country at the Games. "I went through a very low period in my life. I am still embarrassed to discuss it. There was a period of five months when I stopped training. "But I had support from many people and they've been pushing me, so that's the secret of my success." Russian Marina Shainova bagged the silver while O Jong-ae of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea won the bronze. O had the packed stadium on its feet for her last lift by converting a 131kg clean-and-jerk effort at the second try to set a new Olympic record. But, cheered on by the home crowd, Chen responded swiftly by heaving 132kg on her second lift, instantly erasing O's record and resetting the 237kg Olympic record total which she herself had set in Athens. Chen was not done yet. She wrapped up the contest by lifting 138kg on her last attempt to claim the two Olympic clean and jerk total records a second time. "The first Olympic gold was for myself. Today, I dedicate this gold medal to my country," she said. She said going for all three world records - compatriot Qiu Hongmei holds the clean and jerk at 141kg - never entered her mind. "I was committed to winning this gold medal," she said. "Anyway, I already own the world records." Five hours after Chen's dramatic play, men's lifter Zhang Xiangyang raised China's gold medal tally to nine by winning the 62kg class. "As a weightlifter, it's an amazing feeling to win two golds for China in one day," Zhang said. "It's like a dream come true. I want to enjoy this moment and say 'congratulations' to Chen as well."  (China Daily 08/12/2008 page5) |
