Chinese lifters Monday revived the great expectations for the weightlifting powerhouse after two days of silver-taking performances at the Athens Olympics, sweeping golds in both women's 58kg class and men's 62kg.

Chen Yanqing

Getting over a mounting pressure built up on her Olympic debut, China’s Chen Yanqing fulfilled her dream and lived up to the Chinese strongwomen's reputation of "Dream Team" by winning the gold in the women's 58kg class in Athens.

"I made it," Chen, who returned to the lifting scene last November after two years of retirement, told reporters. "The 12 years of hard work paid off."

Ri Song Hui of DPR Korea took the silver with a total of 232.5 and Wandee Kameaim of Thailand lifted a total of 230.0 to earn the bronze in the class, where Asians showed an overwhelming dominance at the Games.

The 25-year-old Chen faced immense pressures due to the strongwomen squad's ambition of sweeping golds at the Games as well as the unexpected failure on her teammate Li Zhuo's gold medal quest in the women's 48kg on Saturday.

"The two days (since the competition opening) were painful for me," Chen said. "I switched off my mobile to fend off any distraction, even a family message."

Chen said she had been determined to grab the gold on a mission to repeat the Chinese strongwomen's feat of a clean sweep at the Sydney Olympics.

After both of her fellow lifters, Li Zhou and Wu Meijin, in men's 56kg, landed on the silvers at the Games, the pressures on her shoulders to reap the first gold of the weightlifting powerhouse at the Games were even heavier.

"I couldn't make one single mistake," Chen said. "Now I'm so pleased the pressures were off."

Chen, who was frustrated over her failure in making the Sydney Olympics team, had once thought that was the end of her weightlifting journey and retired in 2001.

Chen, currently a student on the Business Administration program of Suzhou University in southeast China, delivered her comeback at the Olympics arena. She, scoring a very much needed successful lift, revived the wonder of a dream team.

Shi Zhiyong

In men's 62kg division, Chinese Shi Zhiyong won the gold medal with a total of 325kg and set a new Olympic record in snatch.

His teammate Le Maosheng finished second with 312.5kg and the host weightlifter Leonidas Sampanis grabbed bronze at 312.5kg due to his heavier bodyweight.

"I am very proud to win the gold medal. I have to thank my coach, the other Chinese athletes, and my country. I feel very happy," said Shi, on top of the men's 62kg category ranking of the International Weightlifting Federation.

When asked what was his future plan, the young lifter said "I want to have a big meal and have a sweet sleep."

Le, world record holder of 182.5kg in the jerk and fourth placer at Sydney Olympics, said, "although I didn't win the gold medal, I am happy that my teammate did so."

The 33-year-old Sampanis, who obtained silvers in men's 62kg at Sydney and the 59kg at 1996 Olympics, said it was very difficult to achieve his goal.

"I was very pleased with this great success. Among the three medals I have won, this is the most precious to me," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 17, 2004)