S Korean lifter Jang breaks world records, wins women's over 75kg Olympic gold

S Korean lifter Jang breaks world records, wins women's over 75kg Olympic gold

Jang Miran of South Korea celebrates during women's +75kg group A competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games weightlifting event in Beijing, China, Aug. 15, 2008. Jang Miran set the new world record of women's +75kg with a total of 326kg and claimed the gold. (Xinhua Photo)


Jang Miran of South Korea tries a lift during women's +75kg group A competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games weightlifting event in Beijing, China, Aug. 15, 2008. Jang Miran set the new world record of women's +75kg with a total of 326kg and claimed the gold.(Xinhua Photo)


BEIJING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- South Korean lifter Jang Mi-ran broke three world records to claim the title of "world's strongest woman" at the Beijing Olympics on Saturday.

"I felt so happy. I think of it as a gift from God," she said.

With no opponents at all, Jang, 24, competed with herself in the women's over 75kg category event, met no Chinese lifters but refreshed the snatch, jerk and total world records, all set by Chinese strongwomen.

Jang took her first snatch attempt after all the other 10 lifters finished. She made three successful attempts and finished the snatch section with 140kg, bettering world record, held by her long-time rival China's Mu Shuangshuang, by one kilo.

She hoisted 183kg in her second jerk attempt, breaking the jerk world record, held by China's Tang Gonghong in Athens, and also Mu's world record of total, bettering it by 4 kilos.

Jang, Athens silver medalist and three-time world champion, didn't stop. She renewed the minute-old records by successfully lifting 186kg, totaling 326kg.

"Challenge has no limit," she told a after-game press conference, adding that she would break more world records in coming years.

Jang, who had no expression in her face during the entire competition, smiled to the responsive South Korean fans when climbing onto the podium for gold medalist.

She said "thank you" at the press conference to the supportive crowd.

"Every time I came to the platform, the audience cheered for me," she said.

Olha Korobka of Ukraine took the silver with 277kg.

"My silver medal is equal to gold, because of the fantastic performance of the Korean lifter Jang Miran," she said.

The bronze went to Kazakhstan's Mariya Grabovetskaya, who cleared 270kg.

Mu Shuangshuang didn't take part in the Olympics as China gave up this category due to a rule which restricts each NOC's competitors to a maximum of four in women's events.

Jang said she didn't know about Mu's absence until the last moment before coming to Beijing.

"I would not be alone if I could compete with her," she said.

Jang's compatriot Sa Jae-hyouk won the men's 77kg on Wednesday, claiming the first weightlifting title at the Beijing Olympics for South Korea.