In winning the gold medal in the men's 56kg class snatch event at the ongoing Junior World Weightlifting Championships China's Li Zheng gained entry to the record books in Hangzhou on Sunday.

The 20-year-old Li, who was fifth in the World Championships last year in Doha, met no real challenges and finished with a total of 286kg--nine kilos up on his result in Doha, Qatar.

The 17-year-old Ego Irawan of Indonesia settled for the silver at 269kg and Li's compatriot Yang Yuxiang, 20, claimed the bronze with 268kg.

In his third attempt in the snatch Li, the 2003 Junior World champion, lifted 131kg with ease -- adding a little bit more weight to his junior world record which stood at 130kg.

Li has clinched gold medals in the Junior Worlds twice and said he didn't feel as nervous as he had in the past when competing.

"Last year in Doha I was too nervous to show my best," he said. "International competitions have helped me mature and this time in Hangzhou I stepped onto the stage with ease," Hi told Xinhua after the competition.

"I can lift well in my daily training so I didn't feel that surprised at all when breaking the world record," he added.

"I hope I can win a gold medal in the Beijing Olympics in 2008," Li observed with a smile.  

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2006)