DONGGUAN, South China, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Olympic champion Lu Yong of China became a grand-slam winner by winning the men's 85kg weightlifting gold medal at the Guangzhou Asiad here on Wednesday.
After crowning at the Beijing Olympics and the world championships, Lu, 24, accomplished the grand slam by clinching the Asiad gold with a total of 376kg, followed by Chashemov Mansurbek of Uzbekistan at 372kg.
"Congratulations on myself after winning the grand slam. I want to thank my coach and all the team members, who help me to recover from the knee injury in time after the worlds," said Lu, who ranked the fifth in total at last month's world championships.
Kim Kwang Hoon of South Korea settled for the bronze at 369kg, beating another Chinese lifter Jiang Hairong, who hoisted the same total, to the fourth place with a lighter bodyweight.
Lu, runner-up last time in Doha, encountered an unexpected failure in his first attempt at 170kg. But he immediately found the rhythm by snatching 173kg, one kilogram more than Chashemov.
In the clean and jerk, Chashemov failed to lift 202kg in his last two attempts after raising 200kg. It seemed that Lu would secure the gold at ease as he jerked 203kg in his second attempt.
However, Kim, who only snatched 160kg, came from behind to present a severe challenge to Lu by jerking 209kg in second attempt and increasing his total to the second place.
The unstoppable Kim selected 216kg in his final attempt, a weight that would determine to whom the gold belongs, while Lu chose to give up his final attempt considering his injury. Thanks to Kim's failure at 216kg, Lu finally gained the gold.
"In order not to aggravate my injury, I gave up my last chance. Because this year's winter training is crucial for the 2012 London Olympics," said Lu, who considered the London gold as his top priority after achieving grand slam.
