China's Hou breaks world record at IWF World Cup

Hou Zhihui of China celebrates after a successful attempt in the women's 49kg competition at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, April 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Hao)

PHUKET, Thailand, April 1 (Xinhua) -- China's Hou Zhihui set a snatch world record at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup here on Monday, as she renews her quest for another Olympic appearance.

The Tokyo Olympic gold medalist in the women's 49kg broke the world record when she cleared 97kg on her second attempt, before Ri Song Gum of the DPRK equaled the result.

Ri came top in the clean and jerk and claimed the World Cup title in a total of 221 (97-124). Hou finished second with 217 (97-120), ahead of compatriot Jiang Huihua.

The IWF World Cup in Phuket serves as a qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. It also represents a crucial test for Chinese weightlifters to compete against each other for a ticket to Paris, as each National Olympic Committee will only be able to qualify one athlete per weight class, and three per gender across all weight categories - down from four each at Tokyo 2020.

Ri Song Gum of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) celebrates after breaking the world record with 221kg in total in the women's 49kg competition at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, April 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Hao)

Hou Zhihui of China celebrates after a successful attempt in the women's 49kg competition at the IWF World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, April 1, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Hao)