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Li Zhuo looks for China's first gold in Olympics
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-08-12 14:02
Chinese Olympic debutant Li Zhuo is taking on a high note of her Olympic
experience, expecting to win the first weightlifting gold medal at the Athens
Games.
And if something goes against Chinese shooters' plan, the strong woman may claim
the first gold for the Chinese delegation in the ancient city.
However, the women's 48-kg world champion firmly believes that Chinese
sharpshooters could shoot down the gold. "We are all endeavouring for the glory
of the nation," she said in the Nikaia Olympic Hall, the weightliting venue for
the Olympics.
The weightlifting tournament is set to be held Saturday afternoon. Earlier in
the day, Chinese shooters Zhao Yinghui, Du Li and Wang Yifu would press hard for
the gold medals in the shooting range.
"If they fail," Li said, "I will secure a gold for China in the day."
No one has any doubt on the strength of Chinese women lifters, who had a
clean sweep of four gold medals from as many categories they took part in Sydney
Olympic Games four years ago. With an expectation of at least three golds from
Athens, Chinese weightlifting team is in high spirit for a rivalry on the
platform.
China sent four strong women including Chen Yanqing in 58kg, Liu Chunhong in
69kg and Tang Gonghong in over-75kg to challenge the limit of their lifting
power in Athens.
"The principle of the training and trial is to vie with their own limit,"
said Chinese team headcoach Li Shunzhu. "They don't need to worry about the
competitions or their rivals. They ought to attempt to lift the bar beyond their
own limit."
The weightliting tournament, which will produce 15 gold medals including
eight from men's division, runs through ten competition days from August 14 to
25, with rest days on August 17 and 22.
The total number of participants in the Athens Olympics
weightlifting is 260, of which 170 are men and 90 women.
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