TODAY China’s lifters pulling for clean sweeps in both events
Both Li Yajun (CHN, Women’s 53kg) and Liao Hui (CHN, Men’s 69kg) won all three gold medals at last year’s World Championships in Wroclaw. Here in Almaty they are looking to continue their gold medal haul.
Both Total gold medals in men’s events thus far in Almaty have been won by participants representing DPR Korea. The last time China failed to win Total in the three lightest categories was in 2001, when Halil Mutlu (TUR), Genadi Oleshchouk (BLR) and Galabin Boevski (BUL) proved too strong.
China can win the first six women’s gold medals at a single World Championship for the fourth time, after doing so in 1998, 2006 and 2013. The record is winning the first seven, in 1998 and 2006.
Women’s 53kg
Li could become the first woman to successfully defend all three gold medals in this event.
Kazakhstan are still looking for their first medal in this tournament. Clean & Jerk world record holder Zulfiya Chinshanlo (KAZ) is their hope in this women’s event.
Chinshanlo can become the first woman to win a gold medal in the 53kg at three different world championships.
Looking for a strong appearance is also Hsu Shu-Ching (TPE), who set the Total world record at 233 kilogrammes during the Asian Games in Incheon (KOR) in September.
Men’s 69kg
Liao completed the hat-trick in 2009 and 2013. Last year he won by a clear margin of 18 kilogrammes to Oleg Chen (RUS).
Liao’s six combined gold medals are one short of the World Championships record in Men’s 69kg. He could equal/surpass Zhang Guozheng (CHN, 7 in 2002-2007) by winning one or more golds in this event.
DPR Korea have two participants who aim for their nation’s first gold medal in Total and their second overall in Men’s 69kg, after Kim Kum Sok’s (PRK) gold in Clean & Jerk in 2011.
