IWF Junior Worlds...
by Randall J. Strossen, IronMind Enterprises, Inc. © 1999
IWF President Gottfried Schoedl, speaking at last night's closing banquet, called the Junior World Weightlifting Championships "perfect." Contest highlights included stunning performances by Shi Zhiyong (China), who broke a total of five junior and senior men's world records in the 62-kg category, and Chen Yanqing (China), who broke a total of ten junior and senior women's world records in the 58-kg category. Host Team Savannah did itself proud, not only in putting on an outstanding event, but also by having two of its lifters medal for the United States: Oscar Chaplin picked up two bronze medals (77-kg category), and Cheryl Haworth picked up three silver medals (+75-kg category). Spain won the team classification for women, with the USA third, and China won the men's team classification, with the USA fifth.