Tactics Mistake Costs China's Liu Bing Gold Medal in Women's Weightlifting

One serious tactics mistake costed Chinese lifter Liu Bing a gold medal in the women's 58kg category at the world weightlifting championships Tuesday in Antalya.

After finishing the snatch in the second place, Liu Bing, who made her debut at major international competitions, was in a advantageous position in the clean and jerk, which would lead to her first major world title.

However, one error from her coach Zhang Wenxi crushed Liu Bing's dream and Polish lifter A. Klejnowska took the chance and won the overall title at 215 kilograms. Liu Bing had to contend with second place at 117.5kgs.

After Marieta Gotfryd of Poland, who defeated Liu Bing in the snatch with bodyweight advantage, finished her three attempt in the jerk at 110kgs, Liu Bing and Klejnowska were the only lifters left in the chase for the overall title.

With lighter bodyweight and 2.5kgs advantage over Klejnowska from the snatch, Liu Bing opened her jerk at 115kgs, which was also lifted by Klejnowska.

In the second try, Liu Bing lifted 117.5kgs, which meant Klejnowska had to lift 122.5kgs could she claim the overall title.

With the final chance in hand, Liu Bing could have asked 120kgs, which was a frequent weight in her training.

"If Liu Bing lifted 120kgs, Klejnowska would be squeezed into a corner and had to lift 125kgs in her third attempt. It is almost impossible for the Polish girl to lift that weight," said Yang Hanxiong, head coach of the Chinese team.

Instead of the 120kgs, Liu Bing's coach Zhang Wenxi asked 122.5kgs and Liu Bing failed her third try.

Klejnowska took the chance. After failing her second lift at 122.5kg, the Polish lifter succeeded in the final attempt.

Zhang Wenxi admitted that he had made a mistake there. "I should have asked 120kgs or 125kgs for her (Liu Bing)," he said afterwards.

Gotfryd finished third at 202.5kgs from 95 in the snatch and 107.5 in the jerk.






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