Deng Wei smashes three records at weightlifting worlds

World
Europe

Another day another weightlifting overlord and another goodbye to three world records.

Less than 24 hours after Shi Zhiyong put in a sparkling record-shattering performance at the 2018 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships, another formidable Chinese weightlifter wowed the crowd with an admirable display of her superiority.

Deng Wei broke the world records thrice in the women's 64kg category on the way to sweeping all three titles after defeating her main rival, two-time Olympic champion Rim Jong-sim of the DPRK in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on Monday night.

Deng Wei breaks the world record as she wins the women's 63kg weightlifting event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, August 9, 2016. /VCG Photo

The 25-year-old Chinese sensation, who claimed the gold medal at the Rio Olympics two years ago, now has all three records in the category to her name, setting new world marks for snatch (112kg), clean and jerk (140kg) and total weight (252kg).

Earlier in the day, Deng's compatriot Lyu Xiaojun set the tone for the night as the 34-year-old veteran secured the overall victory in the men's 81kg category with a world record-breaking total of 374kg despite finishing second in both the snatch and the clean and jerk.

The three-time world champion seized control of the contest courtesy of an error by Rio Olympic bronze medallist Mohamed Ihab. The Egyptian twice broke the world record total with 369kg and 373kg but it proved in vain as Lyu hoisted 202kg above his head, bringing the total to 374kg, 1kg above Mohamed.

The 34-year-old London Olympic gold medallist Lyu Xiaojun is a regular fixture at weightlifting worlds. /VCG Photo

Five days into the IWF World Championships, China continues to lead the charge atop the medal table, with 36 in total, including 12 gold, 14 silver and 10 bronze medals. Thailand and the DPRK follow shortly behind.