Host Nation Hauls in 14 Medals in Goyang

By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter

The South Korean weightlifting team is celebrating a fantastic showing at the world championships, which wrapped up Sunday in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province.

The East Asians' medal haul was far better than most expected, as the Koreans took home six gold, three silver and five bronze medals, finishing third in gold medals and second in total medals.

Jang Mi-ran claimed her fourth straight world title in the women's over-75kg weight class, becoming the third female in any class to achieve the feat in the 23-year history of the championship.

While Jang was a heavy favorite, An Yong-kwon surprised the weightlifting world in claiming the men's over-105kg division.

Both lifters earned gold in both the clean and jerk, and the overall, and Jang added silver and An added bronze in the snatch.

Sa Jae-hyok in the men's 77kgs and Kim Seon-jong in the men's 94kgs also added clean and jerk gold medals to Korea's medal tally.

It was the first time ever that Korea has won six gold medals at the annual event.

Yoon Jin-hae was a triple medalist in the women's 54kgs ― silver in the snatch and bronze in both the clean and jerk, and the overall. Kim Sun-bae also added a silver in the men's 69kg category.

Finally, Kim Min-jae took home two bronze medals in the men's 94kgs.

It was truly a breakout performance for Korea on home soil and gives the team a bright outlook for the future.

Several other lifters displayed solid performances and closed in on domestic records despite not reaching the podium.

With an increase in support and participation in international events in the sport, Korea has high expectations to continue cranking out results as impressive as those of these championships in upcoming events, such as next year's Asian Games in Guangzhou, China; the 2010 World Championships in Turkey; and the 2012 London Olympics.

Further brightening the future prospects of Korean weightlifting is the fact that most of the athletes on the national team are in their early to mid 20's.

It's also an encouraging sign when two lifters can emerge from relative obscurity to join the likes of Beijing Olympic champions Jang and Sa on the podium, just as An and Kim Seon-jeong did this time around.

Meanwhile, China proved it is still the world's best in the sport, returning home with another boat load of medals, taking 18 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze to run away with the gold and total medal leads.

Kazakhstan had the second-most gold medals with nine, to go along with a silver and a bronze.

ksw@koreatimes.co.kr