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China Wins Four Gold Medals in Women's Weightlifting
Ding Meiyuan became the strongest woman in the world on Friday when she registered a world record of 300 kilograms in the two-lift total to win the Olympic gold medal in the over-75kg category.
Ding also set two other world records of 135kgs in the snatch and 165kgs in the jerk en route towards her victory, beating her arch-rival Agata Wrobel of Poland to second with 295kgs.
This was the fourth weightlifting gold medal for China, who swept all the events they competed in the women's weightlifting which made its Olympic debut.
"I was very nervous, but I am very pleased to win the gold," said Ding, winner of the World Championships last year. "I want to thank all the people in China for their support to my career. And my parents will be very happy for my achievement."
Ding, 23, was in danger of losing the title when Wrobel asked 170 kilograms for her third attempt after Ding set the new 165 mark. But the weight was too heavy for the 19-year-old Polish to succeed, and she failed to become the woman to lift the most heavy weight in the world.
"This is a good start for me in the Olympic competition. This is a pay-off for all of my training and hard work," said Wrobel, who also took the silver in last year's World Championships after Ding.
Cheryl Haworth of the United States won the bronze in 270 kilograms.
"I feel good about my performance, about what I did. I feel confident," said Wrobel after competition.
All seven gold medals have been decided when the women's weightlifting competition concluded this afternoon as China takes the most four golds, with the other three split by the United States, Mexico and Colombia.
And it was also the first for Colombia in any event in the Olympic Games.
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