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Kazakhstan emerges to break China's winning streak
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-12-06 09:06

Kazakhstan stole the limelight from China as two strongmen claimed gold medals to break China's stranglehold on men's weightlifting at the Doha Asiad on Tuesday.

Vyachesiav Yershov of Kazakhstan overcame Chinese Lu Yong to win the gold medal in men's 85kg on the fourth day of weightlifting tournament as he hoisted a total of 377kg.

"I didn't think too much about winning a gold in the Asiad, but I got well-prepared before I came here. I'm lucky today," Yershov said.

"I haven't trained regularly for one year, and my performance here is satisfying," Lu said.

Before Yershov's winning performance, China has dominated four categories including men's 56kg, 62kg, 69kg and 77kg in Doha in three days.

Later in men's 94kg division, Yershov's compatriot Ilya Ilin, current world champion, lifted a total of 397kg to ease to the victory. Lee Ung Jo of South Korea clinched the silver at 370kg, followed by Hsieh Wei Chun of Chinese Taipei at 355kg.

After three days' competitions, China has captured nine gold and four silver, followed by Kazakhstan with two gold, and Thailand one gold, three silver and one bronze medals.

Earlier in the day, Cao Lei overcame seven rivals to win women' s 75kg weightlifting with a total of 272kg.

Cao Lei, current world champion, snatched 120kg and jerked 152kg to earn the gold, but was 14kg short of the world record and 13kg outside of the Asian Games record.

Oo Mya Sanda of Myanmar, 30, hoisted a total of 250kg for the silver, and Kim Soon Hee of South Korea claimed the bronze at 246kg.

"I want to thank my coach who discovered my potential in 75kg division," said Cao, who was just upgraded from women's 69kg to 75kg class this year.