China's Pei breaks world records to claim gold at weightlifting worlds

NINGBO, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- China's Pei Xinyi broke world records and completed all six lifts successfully to win the women's 61-kilogram title at the IWF World Championships on Sunday, leading a Chinese one-two finish at the first qualifying event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Pei, 21, lifted 112kg in the snatch and 142kg in the clean and jerk for a combined 254kg, sweeping all three gold medals. Compatriot Yang Liuyue took overall silver with 249kg, while DPR Korea's Pak Jin Hae claimed bronze with 243kg.

The snatch developed into a three-way contest involving Pei, Yang and Colombia's Karen Mosquera, who twice improved her personal best before finishing with 111kg.

Pei responded with 112kg on her final attempt, equaling the world record held by Yang to take gold. Yang finished third with 110kg after failing at 113kg, while Mosquera claimed silver. Pak missed twice at 109kg and finished outside the snatch medals.

Pei then took control in the clean and jerk, opening at 135kg before lifting 140kg on her second attempt to break the previous world record of 139kg, set by Pak at the Asian Games last month.

That lift also raised the world record for the total to 252kg. Pei improved both marks again on her final attempt, lifting 142kg for a combined 254kg to complete four world-record performances in the session.

Yang lifted 139kg to equal the previous clean-and-jerk world record but failed at 145kg on her final attempt, settling for silver in the discipline. Pak recovered from an opening failure at 135kg to lift 138kg and take bronze.

"I used to be timid and hold myself back, but not anymore," Pei said. "Being steady just means I can go for it on every lift."

Pei, a native of Zhejiang Province, credited the home crowd for helping her deliver under pressure.

"My family all came and cheered so loudly. With everyone behind me, there was nothing to fear," she said.

Yang, the Asian Games champion, said she needed to improve her composure after missing her final attempt.

"I wasn't relaxed enough mentally and my technique wasn't quite right. I'll keep working hard," she said, adding that building confidence would be her next priority.

The championships continue Monday with the men's 85kg competition, featuring China's Chen Shunnan and Lei Jiangqing.