Asian Games: Zhang Guyozheng Wins the 69s in Weightlifting
by Randall J. Strossen, IronMind Enterprises, Inc. © 2002
Pusan, Korea – Building on his second place 155 kg snatch, Zhang Guozheng (CHN) hit a 190-kg clean and jerk for the gold medal in the men's 69-kg category of weightlifting at the Asian Games.
Qatar's Fadel Nasser Sarouf led after the snatches with a 155 kg lift, edging Zhang on body weight. Langroudi Panzvan (IRI) was in third, with a 150-kg snatch, beating hometown hero Lee Bae Young (KOR) on bodyweight.
Things changed dramatically in the jerk, with Sarouf only making his opener, 170 kg; Panzvan also only made his opener, 175 kg, but it would prove to be good enough for the bronze medal. Lee bombed with 185, missing the jerk twice and then missing the clean.
Erwin Abdullah (INA), who was in sixth place after the snatches, with 142.5 kg, opened with 185, missed 190, and then came back for a gutsy success. Zhang smoked 185 and 195, with beautiful squat jerks that wowed the crowd, before missing the jerk on a world record attempt at 197.5 kg.