Two world champions, one Olympic spot: Li Fabin edges out Shen Lijun in cruel battle

When the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF)'s General Council and the International Olympic Committee approved reshuffling the weightlifting classes for the 2024 Paris Olympics, Shen Lijun found himself caught between a rock and a hard place.

The weight category in which he had won the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics, the men's 67kg, was among those that got the axe. Suddenly, the 31-year-old veteran had to face a daunting decision: bulk up to compete in the 73kg category, slim down to the 61kg category or forfeit the chance to represent China in Paris altogether.

After careful contemplation, he made the bold choice to embark on an extreme weight-cutting journey, determined to transition to the 61kg division.

This decision presented Shen with yet another predicament. Despite China's undisputed dominance in weightlifting, they faced a restriction of sending only one athlete per weight class to the Paris Olympics. This meant that Shen had to go head-to-head with his fellow countryman Li Fabin, the reigning Olympic champion in the 67kg category, for a single Olympic spot.

Having opted not to compete in the 67kg event in the previous four qualifying tournaments in order to protect his body from excessive strain, the 2024 IWF World Cup emerged as Shen's last opportunity to outperform Li and claim the coveted spot in Paris. Shen was well aware of the intimidating task ahead of him.

In his quest to maximize weight loss, Shen resorted to a rigorous regimen that included minimal food intake in the days leading up to the competition, relying only on essential nutrients for sustenance.

However, transitioning to a new weight category amidst a field of elite competitors in the World Cup proved to be a formidable challenge. Despite giving his all, Shen encountered a series of setbacks during the men's 61 kg final on Tuesday, failing to secure any of his three snatch attempts. Ultimately, he made the tough decision to withdraw from the tournament.

In a striking contrast, Li showcased an exceptional performance, surpassing his own snatch world record and emerging victorious in the total category with 146-166-312. But it was Hampton Morris who stole the spotlight as the unexpected dark horse, stunning the crowd with a monumental final lift that not only shattered Li's clean and jerk world record but also made him the first American man in 55 years to achieve a senior-level world record.

By the end of it all, despite Li's achievement of earning two gold medals in snatch and on total, guaranteeing his place in Paris, a profound sense of heaviness and mixed emotions enveloped him.

Reflecting on Shen's under-performance at the World Cup, he said, "Competitive sports can be incredibly brutal. As seasoned athletes who have devoted ourselves to preparing for the Olympic Games, the arduous process of shedding so much weight is far from effortless..."

"While we may be opponents on the competition stage, we are good brothers in life. Throughout our journey, we have pushed each other forward through healthy competition and have always held a mutual respect for one another. It's truly heart wrenching that only one of us can move forward."

Shen chose not to delve into the specifics of his immense disappointment on Tuesday, but true to his character, failure is often the catalyst for even greater determination. It is in the face of setbacks that Shen finds the motivation to achieve more, to go beyond his previous limits, and to strive for excellence.

From a young age, Shen witnessed his father's battle with a brain tumor, while his mother also faced health challenges. The weight of their family's debts loomed over them. However, through his numerous world and Olympic titles, Shen has managed to reverse his family's fortune. Just like any hard-fought battle, the taste of victory is never sweeter than after enduring the bitterness of failure.

As for Li, Shen's setback has only ignited an even stronger resolve within him to come out on top in the approaching summer. He declared, "Going forward, I will persistently fight for our shared Olympic dream in Paris. This is not just for myself, but for Shen as well."