Deng lifts record after surprise withdrawal

RIO DE JANEIRO: Chinese weightlifter Deng Wei won Olympic gold in the women’s 63kg category with a world record Tuesday after Taiwanese rival Lin Tzuchi pulled out amid reports of a failed dope test.

Deng hoisted a combined total of 262 kg in Rio on Tuesday, breaking the record held by Lin, who was a surprise late withdrawal from the competition.

“I didn’t know she wasn’t participating until the very beginning of the competition. I was surprised not to see her,” Deng said afterwards. “I haven’t heard anything about reports of her failing a dope test. I feel really bad for her and I hope to meet her in future Games,” she added.

Deng scored a 115 in the snatch before sensationally grabbing first place with a world record clean and jerk of 147 kg which saw her smash Lin’s total record by 1 kg.

Lin had set the record when she won gold at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, and was favourite going into Tuesday’s event at the Summer Olympics.

However, when the final entry sheet was published she was a surprise omission.

Olympic officials were unable to immediately confirm reports that she had failed a doping test.

The China Post reported that Lin had tested positive for a banned substance just hours before the start of the contest, citing officials at Taiwan’s Olympic committee.