Chen defends weightlifting title

China's Chen Yanqing defended her Olympic weightlifting title, setting two new records in the process, as she took gold in the women's 58kg class.

Roared on by the home fans, Chen made a total lift of 244kgs, breaking her previous Olympic record by seven kgs.

A lift of 106kgs in the snatch was followed by 138kgs in the clean and jerk, her second new Olympic record.

Russia's Maria Shainova took the silver medal and North Korea's O Jong Ae claimed the bronze.

606: DEBATE
What did you make of Chen's performance?
Chen came out of retirement for a fourth time to represent her country at the Games and become the first woman to win two Olympic gold medals in weightlifting.

O laid down the marker as she completed a 131kg clean and jerk lift at the second attempt to set a new record, but Chen responded magnificently with a 132kg effort.

And the 29-year-old finished with a flourish, lifting a massive 138kg on her last attempt to send her crowd into raptures.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Beijing 2008 - weightlifting
British Weightlifting Association
International Weightlifting Federation
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