Huang Shan and Xiaohong grab 1-2 finish for powerhouse China
GEORGE TOWN: Powerhouse China were made to work hard before securing a one-two finish in the women’s 63kg event at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) Youth World Weightlifting Championships.
Huang Shan lifted a total of 211kg to pip compatriot Su Xiaohong to the overall gold by 1kg at the SPICE Arena here yesterday.
Xiaohong had earlier won the snatch gold with a 95kg effort, while Huang Shan was triumphant in the clean and jerk with a 117kg lift.
But the two 17-year-olds from China did not have it easy.
Colombian Helen Aguirre gave the two Chinese a scare in the snatch before settling for the bronze on 93kg, just behind Huang Shan’s 94kg finish.
In the clean and jerk, Thai Rodsukon Sonkaew almost pulled the rug from under the Chinese with a strong display.
Rodsukon had briefly led the competition after lifting 116kg, and Xiaohong dropped the weights in her final attempt at 117kg.
However, Huang Shan rose to the occasion to deny the Thai a gold by successfully clearing the 117kg mark to clinch both the clean and jerk and overall golds.
“There was pressure on me after Xiaohong faltered towards the end. I am happy to help ensure all the three golds went to China,” said Huang Shan.
Malaysia’s Nur Atikah Sobri was placed 11th out of 23 competitors with a 174kg total following a 78kg effort in the snatch and 96kg in the clean and jerk.
In the women’s 58kg, Turkey’s Aysegul Cakin clinched the overall gold with a total lift of 184kg. The 17-year-old finished ahead of Ukraine’s Mariia Tymoshchuk (182kg) and Peru’s Eldi Vasquez (176kg).
Cakin also clinched the clean and jerk gold but failed to make a clean sweep after settling for the silver behind Ukraine’s Mariia Tymoshchuk in the snatch.
Malaysia’s Sheren Lueh finished last in the field of 16 lifters with a total lift of 108kg.