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03/29/2024 11:03:57 am

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China Sports News: Weightlifter Chen Lijun Breaks 2 World Records and Wins World Title

Chinese weightlifter Chen Lijun

(Photo : Reuters) Chinese weightlifter Chen Lijun broke two world records en route to his 62-kg division title in the 2015 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships on Monday.

Chinese world champion weightlifter Chen Lijun beat defending champion Kim Un-Guk of North Korea during the final round of the 62-kg division match-up at the 2015 International Weightlifting Federation World Championships held at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas on Monday.

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At the same time, 22-year-old Chen also broke two world records - a 183 kg clean and jerk lift and a 333 kg total lift. Kim still holds a world record of 154 kg for the snatch event he achieved during the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

Chen, who had also defeated the North Korean for the gold medal during the 2013 World Championships, won the tournament after Kim failed to lift 179 kg in the clean and jerk category.

"I give him my special congratulations," the 27-year-old London Olympics gold medalist said afterward, Channel News Asia reported.

Both Chen and Kim are again set to be the top contenders in the 62-kg division during the summer Olympics next year in Rio. They are expected to be challenged by Azerbaijan's Valentin Hristov, who has placed third in all three events of the said competition.

Meanwhile, in the women's 53-kg, Chinese Taipei's Hsu Shu-ching defeated Chen Xiaoting of China to capture the title in her division.

24-year-old Chen was cruising with a 5-kg lead after the snatch event but encountered some challenges during the clean and jerk when she failed to lift 120 kg after two tries. However, she was successful in her third attempt to stay in the match, according to Xinhua.

Hsu, also 24, lifted 125 kg on body weight to seal the victory after she and Chen were tied at 221 kg total.

Hsu is the current world record holder for total lift with 233 kg also accomplished during the 2014 Incheon Asian Games.

Filipino weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz placed third behind the two rivals in the snatch, clean and jerk, and total categories.

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