China, DPR Korea split weightlifting golds at Hangzhou Asiad

Gold Medalist Song Kukhyang (C) of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), Silver Medalist Jong Chunhui (L) of DPRK and Bronze Medalist Kim Suhyeon of South Korea attend the awarding ceremony for Women's 76Kg of Weightlifting at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

HANGZHOU, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's Tian Tao clinched the gold medal in the men's 96kg while Song Kuk Hyang of DPR Korea emerged victorious in the women's 76kg weightlifting at the Hangzhou Asian Games here on Thursday.

29-year-old Tian, a gold medalist in the 85kg category at the Incheon Asiad in 2014, lifted 180kg in the snatch and 210kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 390kg, despite struggling with an elbow and shoulder injury.

Ro Kwang Ryol of DPR Korea took the silver with 386kg, while Thailand's Sarat Sumpradit finished third with 384kg. China's Li Dayin, who had taken gold in the men's 89kg at this year's Asian Championships, ranked fourth with 382kg.

In the women's 76kg, 22-year-old Song lifted 117kg in the snatch and 150kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 267kg.

Her compatriot Jong Chun Hui settled for silver, one kilogram behind, while Kim Su-hyeon of South Korea came third with 243kg.

China's Liao Guifang, who won gold in the women's 71kg at the 2023 World Championships, lifted 113kg in the snatch but sustained an injury after failing to lift 118kg in the snatch on her second attempt, forcing her to withdraw from the competition.

DPR Korean weightlifters have pocketed six golds and shattered six world records at the Hangzhou Asiad.

"The DPRK's great progress impressed me a lot," said China coach Yu Jie, adding that China, who has clinched three golds so far in Hangzhou, would make adjustments to their preparations for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The Hangzhou Asiad weightlifting competition will conclude on Saturday. 

Jong Chunhui of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) competes during Women's 76Kg Group A match of Weightlifting at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Kim Suhyeon of South Korea competes during Women's 76Kg Group A match of Weightlifting at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Jong Chunhui of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) competes during Women's 76Kg Group A match of Weightlifting at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 5, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Lei)