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Zhan Xugang Wins Men's 77kg Weightlifting Gold
Zhan Xuegang, gold medalist at the Atlanta Olympics , won China's first men's gold medal in the weightlifting on Friday when he fought back to grab the victory at the Sydney Olympic Games.
Zhan finished a two-lift total of 367.5 kilograms in the 77-kg category although he only placed fourth in the snatch with 160 kilos.
His 207.5 kilos in the jerk made him become the first Chinese weightlifter to win the two consecutive gold medals in the Olympic Games.
"I was so happy to win the medal," said Zhan, who placed fourth with a total of 365 kilograms in last year's world championships after a one-year injury on his back.
"When I was in fourth place after the snatch, I just thought I must try my best to the end and win the gold back for my country." He added. "I should win this gold which is the only one our men's lifters got in those Olympics. It's a hornor to me and to our team."
"We are extremely happy. He is a very experienced athlete," Chinese coach Chen Wenbin said.
Victor Mitrou of Greece took the silver in a combined 367.5 kilos for his body weight was little heavier than Zhan. Arsen Melikyan of Armenia won the bronze with a total of 365 kilos.
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