Chen, Ri, Kameaim in the Women's 58-kg Category
by Randall J. Strossen, IronMind Enterprises, Inc. © 2004
Athens – They were at risk, but the world records remained intact today as Chen Yanqing (China) won the women's 58-kg category in weightlifting at the 2004 Olympic Games.
Gold medalist Chen Yanqing (China) hits 107.5 kg on her second attempt in the snatch for a new Olympic record in the women's 58-kg category. IronMind® | Randall J. Strossen, Ph.D. photo.
The ice started to break in this class when the snatches hit 100 kg, and Chen showed her supremacy when she stuck 107.5 for a new Olympic record on her second attempt. Ri Song Hui (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) missed 107.5 kg on her third attempt, and Chen, in a bid to increase her lead and tie the world record in the snatch, took 110 kg on her third, but she narrowly missed the lift.
Ri opened with 130 kg in the clean and jerk, but missed the jerk, and then Chen did the same thing on her first attempt, too. Both lifters succeeded with the weight on their second attempts. Aylin Dasdelen (Turkey), in a bid to move into bronze medal position and break the Olympic record in the clean and jerk took 132.5 kg her third attempt, but it was no cigar. Chen followed with 135 kg, looking to boost her lead and break the Olympic and world records in the clean and jerk and total, but she missed the jerk after a strong clean. Ri, not content just let the parade pass her by, called for 137.5 kg on her third attempt, in an effort to get the gold medal, plus the Olympic record in the clean and jerk, and the total, as well as the world record in the clean and jerk. She went for it, but got blown out the back attempting to rack the weight. Wandee Kameaim (Thailand) won the bronze medal with 102.5/127.5.