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Veteran Cui Wenhua wins fourth consecutive gold
21/10/2005 9:42

Veteran Cui Wenhua claimed his fourth consecutive gold medal in men's weightlifting 105kg division by hoisting 392.5kg at the 10th National Games Thursday.

Cui, starting his monopoly from the 7th National Games in 105kg division, met no challenge both in the snatch and jerk. He was the last one in the snatch to lift the barbell at 182.5kg, 7.5kg more than the best results of others.

Cui, 31-year-old, set the national record of the snatch, jerk and total in 1998 and no one can beat the marks since then.

Zhang Chongxi of Yunnan, 25-year-old, had the silver at 387.5kgand Li Yijuan of Shanghai claimed the bronze at 382.5kg.

"I would like to thank all the people who have supported me these years. For a lifter, it is quite hard to win four gold medals in a row," Cui told the press.

Cui studied in Nanjing University since 1999, majoring in journalism. He has decided to retire after the 10th National Games and continue his study.

"It is a perfect ending to my career. Being an athlete, I was always in a hurry to come back as soon as the competition was over.If I take part in next National Games as a reporter, I think I will have more time to enjoy the competition with a light heart," He added.

Zhang Chongxi had to conceded to the second place twice in the National Games in eight year due to Cui's domination.

"If Cui decided to hang up, I think I will have the chance to take the gold medal," Zhang joked.

"We learned a lot from Cui in national team. He set a good example for young lifters. I believe I will perform better next time," the 23-year-old Li Yijun said.

Dong Feng of Liaoning claimed the title of men's weightlifting over-105kg division Thursday evening.

Dong Feng, 27-year-old, lifted 195kg in the snatch and 242.5kg in the jerk for a total result of 437.5kg to clinch the gold medal.

He tried to break the jerk national record of 250kg by hefting 250.5kg in his last attempt, but failed.

Han Wenliang of Jilin took the silver at 430kg while his fellow Sun Haibo won the third with a total result of 415kg.

The weightlifting competition in the National Games, running from October 10 to 20, attracted a total of 226 lifters across China.



 Xinhua news