Hsu comes through to win 53kg gold
Taiwan's Hsu Shu-ching sensationally won Olympic gold in the women’s 53kg weightlifting competition at Rio 2016, after Chinese favourite Li Yajun failed to register a clean and jerk.
Weightlifting
London 2012 silver medallist Hsu lifted 100kg in the snatch and 112kg in the clean and jerk for a total of 212kg. Hidilyn Diaz of the Philippines grabbed silver while Republic of Korea’s Yoon Jinhee took bronze.
In an absorbing contest, China’s Li set a new Olympic record in the snatch, raising 101kg above her head on her second lift. The 23-year-old Li then attempted a new world record of 104kg, only to drop the barbell.
The 2013 world champion, Li went into the clean and jerk with a 1kg lead over Hsu, who lifted 112kg to move out front before then failing to haul 126kg. Getting her tactics wrong, the Chinese lifter failed with her three attempts at the clean and jerk, first at 123kg then twice on 126kg, leaving both her and her coach in tears. Lying first with an attempt to spare, Hsu declined it, finishing 12kg ahead of Diaz and 13 ahead of Yoon to bring Chinese Taipei their first weightlifting gold medal.
“I am very happy and very excited,” said Hsu after collecting her historic gold. “I want to dedicate it to my family, my coach and everyone who supports me.”
I dedicate this medal to my mother – it is her birthday today – and to the Philippines. We have been wanting this for 10 years, 20 years.” Hidilyn Diaz Philippines
- Hidilyn Diaz Philippines
Diaz also scored a first for her country, winning its first weightlifting medal of any hue, an achievement that brought her no little joy. “I am so happy. I am so grateful to God. I do not know, I am just so grateful,” she said. “I dedicate this medal to my mother – it is her birthday today – and to the Philippines. We have been wanting this for 10 years, 20 years.”
Not to be outdone, Beijing 2008 silver medallist Yoon scored an achievement of her own, becoming the first woman to win two medals in the 53kg.