China's Hou Zhihui is set to defend her Olympic weightlifting title in Paris, three years after her triumphant performance in Tokyo. At just 27, Hou made history by lifting a staggering 210kg in the women's 49kg division, securing the first gold medal awarded in Tokyo. This impressive feat included a 94kg snatch and a 116kg clean and jerk, both of which set new Olympic records.
Returning to the podium as the defending champion, Hou is one of six Chinese weightlifters advancing to the Paris Games following the recent streamlining of sport divisions and qualifiers. Her journey since Tokyo has been marked by remarkable consistency and continuous improvement.
Hou has dominated the weightlifting scene by winning multiple titles, including at the World Championships and the Hangzhou Asian Games. She clinched her spot in Paris this past April by setting a world record in the snatch with a 97kg lift at the World Cup in Thailand, followed by a strong overall total of 221kg, securing her position as a top contender.
Hou attributes her sustained success to her disciplined approach and the simplicity of her training regimen. Looking ahead to Paris, she is focused on pushing her limits further, aiming not just to defend her title but to achieve even greater heights in the competitive arena.
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China's Hou Zhihui seeks to defend weightlifting title in Paris
cgtn.com
