The year of 2004 proved a harvest for Chinese weightlifting when they collected a record 21 gold medals at the world championships in Vancouver, Canada and qualified for all the events on offer for next year's Athens Olympic Games.

By making the most of what they excel, China also won seven silver and four bronze medals at the world championships, which was doubled as a qualifying competition for next year's Olympic Games. Ten Chinese lifters including six men and four women won their berths for the Games.

China has been on the way up since 2001 after winning 15 golds at the world championships. They went on to collect 17 gold medals in the 2002 edition.

"I believe Chinese women will continue to dominate in Athens and the men will have a chance to expand their winning turf," said Ma Wenguang, president of China Weightlifting Association after Chinese Herculeses returned from Vancouver last month.

Dubbed Dream Team in weightlifting, Chinese women captured five gold medals in Vancouver and rewrote world records seven times in six categories.

Liu Chunhong, 18, stole the limelight by lifting three gold medals in the 69kg class and beating world records five times in snatch, clean and jerk and combined total.

"Thailand, DPR Korea, Indonesia and some European countries are making rapid progress but they are not strong enough to depose my lifters at either the world championships or the Athens Olympic Games," said women's head coach Ma Wenhui.

"Our goal for the women at Athens is to win three gold medals," Ma Wenguang said. "Hopefully, we can be lucky enough to get four."

The women's top priority is to pick four categories out of six and a well weighed-up decision will have victory better ensured.

Chinese strongmen won two gold medals at the world championships, one of which was obtained by Wu Meijin in 56kg and the other by Zhang Guozheng in 69kg.

"It is true that Wu Meijin won the 56kg class because Turkish Olympic winner Halil Mutlu competed in 62kg. But gold medal of 62kg will be secured after all by Le Maosheng and Shi Zhiyong in case Mutlu comes back to category 56kg," said Ma Wenguang.

"As Mutlu is becoming less formidable than he was, Le and Shi are competitive rivals for him," Ma added.

Yuan Aijun, who came second in total in Vancouver, is another potential winner in the 85kg event in Athens. "The silver medal may mark the turning point for Yuan's career. It will boost his confidence and he is likely to take a gold for China," said Yuan's coach Wang Guoxin.

"Chinese men are resolute to secure at least one gold medal in Athens and strive to win two," said Ma.

But Ma warned his strongmen that the Olympics will prove different from the world championships and they will face a " tougher" task because the men's events, especially in heavy categories, are still dominated by the Europeans.

"Triumphant mood is to be downplayed," Ma said of their success at the world championships. "The Olympic Games will be tougher and everything could happen. We should beware of the challenge and save energy for the Olympics."

Close

Today's Top News		Top Sports News
+Mainland smashes Taiwan spy ring ( 2003-12-24) +Nation inks deals to purchase US aluminium ( 2003-12-24) +Country to further fight official corruption ( 2003-12-24) +Illegal online games rampant ( 2003-12-24) +Private sector doing well as the State relaxes grip ( 2003-12-24)		+Fortune smiles at best-prepared Chinese weightlifting ( 2003-12-24) +Beijing strides towards best-ever Olympics ( 2003-12-24) +Bryant prosecution gets new investigator ( 2003-12-24) +Rafter to return to tennis at AAPT ( 2003-12-24) +Late Sibierski goal earns City deserved 1-1 draw ( 2003-12-23)