OLYMPICS Chinese lifter smashes 16-year-old world record at Rio GamesRIO DE JANEIRO: Chinese weightlifter Long Qingquan broke a 16-year-old world record and North Korean Om Yun-Chol’s heart, taking a second career Olympic gold in the men’s 56kg-category in Rio. Long’s combined total weight was two kgs better than Halil Mutlu of Turkey’s record of 305 kg set Down Under. Fans-favourite Om, who won gold at London 2012, was his trademark lively self throughout, smiling and waving at spectators and punching the air in celebration after every successful lift. Long did not compete in London and said it had been difficult to prepare for his second tilt at glory in Rio. Om, who stands at only 1.5 metres (4 feet 11 inches), has won three straight world championships since taking London by storm four years ago.

Source: Manila Times August 08, 2016 01:41 UTC