China's star-studded weightlifting team won five gold medals in Athens and hopes to increase its total to seven at the 2008 Beijing Games.
As host, China is automatically allocated six berths in the men's events and four in the women's. After fierce competition, the team's final line-up was announced on July 26, including a mix of veterans and young guns.
Young guns
The Chinese men won two golds and two silvers in Athens and hope to clinch at least three gold medals in Beijing.
Liao Hui is one of the medal prospects. [File photo] |
Two new faces edged out veterans to make the team. At 69kg, defending Olympic champion Zhang Guozheng lost out to 20-year-old Liao Hui in the last qualifying match. Liao, the 2007 World Cup champion, will join forces with Shi Zhiyong, the Athens gold medalist at 62kg, who has moved up to 69kg.
In another upset, teenager Long Qingquan defeated veteran Wu Meijin and 2007 world champion Li Zheng in the 56kg competition to earn a place on the Olympic squad. Lu Yong, 22, a newcomer at 85kg, snatched 180kg and jerked 213kg to lift a total of 393kg, the best in international competition in the past three years and only 2kg less than the world record.
China will enter World Cup silver medalist Zhang Xiangxiang in the 62kg event and the world champion Li Hongli at 77kg.
"It is a bit risky to send so many young guns to the Olympics, but it is a good thing for the sport," said the Chinese head coach Ma Wenguang.
"I believe they will not let us down in Beijing."
Hard choice
Chen Xiexia
|
China hopes to draw first blood in the women's 48kg competition. After two-time world champion Li Zhuo failed to win in Athens, the team had to make a tough choice between world champions Yang Lian and Chen Xiexia.
Chen, who swept all three golds in snatch, jerk, and total weight at last year's world championships, defeated Yang by 2kg to secure the berth. The defeat was doubly disappointing for Yang, who missed the Athens Games due to a wrist injury.
Olympic champions Liu Chunhong and Chen Yanqing will represent China at 69 kg and 58 kg respectively. Liu won the 2007 world championships, while Chen still holds the world records for snatch and total weight.
As double world champion at 75kg in 2006 and 2007, Cao Lei hopes to take her first Olympic title in Beijing.