"VAN" (Sports Desk - Tokyo2020 - 25.07.2021) :: People's Republic of China's CHEN Lijun is the Tokyo 2020 Weightlifting Men's 67kg Olympic champion after a show stopping final lift
Five years after being forced to withdraw with leg cramps from Rio 2016, CHEN Lijun of the People's Republic of China has been crowned the Olympic champion in the weightlifting men's 67kg event at Tokyo 2020 with a total lift of 332kg.
It came down to the final lift, with Chen lifting 187kg - an Olympic record - in the clean and jerk to beat Colombia's Luis Javier Mosquera Lozano by one kilogram.
"I feel that it's very difficult, very hard to be in Tokyo 2020. I have many different feeling because for a long time I've been struggling and working hard. This year is quite exciting and unpredictable," Chen said.
"I'm very happy to win this gold medal and bring honour to my country and family."
Chen, a four-time world champion, gave China their second weightlifting gold of the evening after Li Fiban won the men's 61kg.
Mosquera Lozano was in line for the gold medal after a mammoth total lift of 331kg - an Olympic Record before Chen's final attempt.The Rio 2016 bronze medallist came into the clean and jerk after he matched the Olympic record of 151kg in the snatch.
"I want to thank God for this situation. it's been really tough to get here, we had to fight very hard," Mosquera Lozano said.
"I am very proud to win for Colombia and for my family but I understand why China won today, they are very strong in weightlifting. It's been wonderful to fight against my Chinese opponent.
"I'm very happy for him and my Italian colleague but let's hope we can get more medals in the future."
Bronze went to Italy's Mirko Zanni, who despite missing his attempt at 172kg, went on to left a personal best of 177kg on his final attempt in the clean and jerk for a total lift of 322kg.
It was the nation's first medal in weightlifting for 37 years with Noberto Oberburger gold in men's 100kg event at Los Angeles 1984 the last occasion.
"I believe that I've been a trailblazer and that we will win more medals in the future," Zanni said, "I'm sure weightlifting in Italy has a great future."
TOKYO2020
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