News and Media

News

Women’s 69 kg: Liu Chunhong (CHN) crowned by five new world records

Davidova UKR Liu CHN Slivenko RUS It was clear very soon who the winner will be in this category. Liu was not gentle enough to leave any chance for the others.She had an unbelievable performance by snatching 125 kg and 128 kg world record. Her record breaking happiness continued in clear and jerk. Liu's dominance was complete jerking 149 kg which resulted a world record total of 277 kg. She improved her best by lifting 158 kg brought a fantastic new world recor in total as well with 286 kg. Oxana Slivenko (RUS) realized very soon her possible position on the rank list and she was just focusing to grab the silver medal, which she was successful by 255 kg. She had no other choice to watch Liu's attemps how she was breaking Slivenko's world records.Natalya Davydova (UKR) progressed faultlessly and secured her bronze medal with 250 kg. Two brilliant lifters of the next generaqtion had a real fight for the 4th place. Finally Solis (COL) was better by 2 kg then the youngest lifter of all, 16 years old Khalil (EGY).      

IWF Communication

COMMUNICATION Answering different inquiries, we wish to state that the reason why Casey BURGENER (USA) is not participating in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Weightlifting competitions is that the USA (USOC/USA Weightlifting) did not enter him to the Games within the quota of two men obtained in qualification. Having said this, we just wish to highlight a few basic facts in this story. In accordance with the Olympic Qualification Regulation of Weightlifting Beijing 2008, USA qualified for a quota of 2 (two) men. USA Weightlifting officials continuously mislead the US public, the media, Mr. Burgener, his family and associates about the qualification obtained by the US in men's weightlifting for the Beijing Games, claiming that the USA had won 3 (three) slots. As per the results of the 2006 and 2007 World Championships, which became final after the conclusion of the numerous anti-doping controls carried out at the 2007 World Championships, the US remained just under the margin and did not qualify to obtain a quota for men for Beijing 2008. At the next qualification opportunity, which was the 2008 Pan-American Qualification Event, the US obtained a quota of 2 (two) weightlifters. At this point, we must stress that the USA Weightlifting / USOC never received any official communication from the IWF contrary to the above. Just on the contrary: having received various reports and information through the media and individuals, claiming that the US had qualified in the World Championships with 3 male lifters, the IWF repeatedly and officially advised the USAW and the USOC confirming the 2-men quota. When the USAW requested for an additional (3rd) quota place, we answered officially - however with regret - that it was the IWF's determined and approved policy not to award any additional Olympic slots to any NOC which had obtained even one place by qualification. This policy was, by the way, pursued most consistently by the IWF throughout the qualification process, despite enormous pressure from many nations, including the US. We must note with regret that these facts have never been correctly communicated to the media, the US public or the lifters concerned. It is also extremely important to point out that "quota" means a specific number of Olympic slots which the individual NOCs/National Federations have absolute freedom in filling. In the case of the US it means that it was entirely to the discretion of USOC/USA Weightlifting to decide which two male weightlifters to nominate to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Mr. Casey Burgener could have been one of the two, had he been selected. According to IOC/IWF Rules, after the Technical Congress (7th August 2008) the list of entries could no longer be modified; no additional athletes could be entered. Therefore, we feel that it was unfair to this lifter to keep him up to now in the false belief that he can participate in the Games and we can understand his frustration when he finally learned what had been repeatedly officially confirmed all the way. Finally, we feel sincerely sorry for Casey Burgener, whom we recognise as an outstanding athlete and sportsman, that he fell victim to this unfortunate

men’s 77 kg: WHO WILL BE CROWNED, LI FOR THE FIRST OR SAGIR FOR THE SECOND TIME?

Li Hong Li (CHN) as Asian Games, Asian Championships and World Championships winner has a really impressive collection of medals and high ranking positions during his carrer. Just one, the Olympic gold is missing. One of his main rivals, Taner Sagir (TUR) has an Olympic victory, as he won in Athens four years ago. Both of them have the same dream for tonight. But it would be a great mistake to ferget the armenians, Gevorg Davtyan and Ara Khatchatryan who recorded similar results recently that have put them well in contention for nice places. Davtyan was silver medallist at 2007 WC,  Khatchatryan  won the silver medal at the 2008 EC, only one kg behind Russian Perepechenov. For the European Champion Perepechenov it looks to be the last chance to win any type of Olympic medal as he is the oldest on the field, close to 33. He is bronze medallist in Athens and world record holder in clean and jerk (210 kg).   Li Hong Li (CHN) Taner Sagir

women 69 kg: The day of a great dual

Oxana Slivenko (RUS) Liu Chunhong (CHN) Choosing a favourite from Liu Chunhong (CHN), 2004 Olympic gold medallist, 2005 World Champion and Oxana Slivenko (RUS), 2006 and 2007 World Champion, current World record holder is very difficult. The two are matched in both age and power.These two prominent athletes will decide who the real quenn is in this class. Slivenko set world record of 276 kg a year ago, including 123 kg in snatch (WR), when she won against Liu last year's WC. Liu' 2005 world title was in the 75 kg class, in which she currently holds the clean and jerk worls record. (159 kg). They are the outstanding leading figures of this field and probably they share the top two positions at the victory ceremony.

men’s 69 kg press conference quotes:

Liao Hui (CHN), gold medallist: "Because of traditionally negative ideas on weightlifting my parents did not want me to practise this sport. But I loved very much the idea of going to sport school and that is why I became a lifter. To tell you frankly I did not like learning. It all came to my mind when my French rival had his last two attempts giving him a chance to win gold ahead of me. I saw on tv how strong and successful he was at 187 kg. So when he went to 197 kg I was worried. I was really nervous as not only his but my life was in his hand at the same time" Venceleas Dabaya-Tientcheu (FRA), silver medallist: "I had no other choice, I had to try 197 kg. I have never achieved it before, but I was close to this figure at training. I was very much motivated, but this weight was to much for me." Tigran Martirosyan (ARM), bronze medallist: "During training I could lift much more then I was lifting today and I also achieved during the European Championships.But this time my own weight was higher and I had to loose 8 kg. It of course affected the

Men’s 69 kg: Liao (CHN) had to worry several times but won

Shi CHN Liao CHN Dabaya FRA The opening attempts of both Chinese were missed. What a sensation! Later Shi corrected his mistakes once (152 kg), Liao corrected twice and finally found himself on the lead (158 kg). Frenchmen Dabaya-Tientcheu, former world champion, kept in touch with his rivals snatching 151 kg. Martirosyan just had his opening attempt well done (153kg). He had to loose 8 kg-s and was not as strong as normally he is.Lee Baeyoung (KOR) had promising result (155 kg) in snatch but he had no success in clean and jerk at all. Shi (CHN) former Olympic champion of 62 kg after having only one succesful movement did not appear any more on the stage for clean and jerk. Liao finally jerked 190 kg. Martirosyan had 185 for his third, Dabaya-Tientcheu had 187 kg for his first attempt. The Frenchman was encouraged to try 197 kg for the gold but he was far from that weight. Martirosyan and Dabaya-Tientcheu achieved the same result (238 kg), but the silver will fly to France as Martirosyan was heavier by 52 dkg. Liao fineshed on the first place with 348 kg, 10 kg ahead of the other two medalists. Martirosyan ARM Lee Baeyoung