DPRK's Olympic gold medalist takes weightlifting trophy at East Asian Games

DPRK's Olympic gold medalist takes weightlifting trophy at East Asian Games

HONG KONG, Dec. 6 -- Pak Hyon-suk, the Democratic People's Republic Korea's gold medalist at the Beijing Olympics, took gold for the 63kg category of women's weightlifting at the 5th East Asian Games in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

Two of the five athletes competing in the category dropped out in the snatch after three failed attempts each, leaving 24-year-old Pak fighting against China's 22-year-old hopeful Guo Xiyan and Liu Xia of Macao, China.

Pak and Guo both lifted 110kg in snatch, while Liu managed 103kg.

Guo Xiyan of China stands on the podium after the women's 63kg category final of weightlifting in the 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong, south China, on Dec. 9, 2009. Guo won the bronze with 220kg in total (110kg in snatch, 110kg in clean and jerk).

Guo, who finished third in the clean and jerk competition at 135kg at the recent World Weightlifting Championships, started the clean and jerk on Wednesday with a successful attempt at 110kg. Liu followed with a load of 118kg and succeeded.

Pak started clean and jerk with 133kg, significantly raising the level of competition. She was successful.

Guo was forced to jump to 134kg but failed, and then jumped to 138kg after Pak lifted 137kg at the second attempt. Guo failed. Liu also failed when attempting the load of 134kg.

Pak went on to go for 143kg in her last attempt but failed at the load heavier than the existing world record of 142kg set in 2006 by Thai athlete Pawina Thongsuk.

Liu Xia from Macao of China poses for a photo during the awarding ceremony for the women's 63kg category final of weightlifting in the 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong, south China, on Dec. 9, 2009. Liu Xia won the silver with 221kg in total (103kg in snatch, 118kg in clean and jerk).

Liu, who used to be a member of China's national team, said shew as happy to represent Macao, China and win a silver medal.

Liu said both Pak and Guo were quite good but the results largely depended on how the training had been going recently.
(Xinhua)