Li Wenwen "steadily" wins the championship: China's weightlifting star wins the first gold medal in the Asian Games

China News Service, Nagoya, Japan, September 29th. Title: Li Wenwen "steadily" wins the championship

Reporter Kim Wook

"I came here for this gold medal today." Li Wenwen, a famous Chinese weightlifter, said in an interview with reporters.

The Aichi Nagoya Asian Games held the women's 86kg and above weightlifting finals on the 29th local time. Li Wenwen won the championship with a total score of 310kg.

In the snatch section, Li Wenwen steadily lifted 132 kilograms from the beginning, and then successfully lifted 136 kilograms and 140 kilograms, setting consecutive Asian Games records. In the clean and jerk stage, Li Wenwen lifted 166kg and 170kg, locking in the gold medal.

"Today's competition is not easy, but I have always told myself to keep my mind calm and do every lift well." Li Wenwen said that through nearly six weeks of training before the competition, she had adapted to the opening weight of the competition, and this gold medal was "stable."

This is Li Wenwen's first Asian Games gold medal. In 2023, Li Wenwen suffered right elbow ligament and muscle strain at the World Championships. Since then, the injury has prevented her from participating in many important events.

Standing on the Asian Games again after three years, Li Wenwen finally made up for her previous regrets with a gold medal and achieved a career Grand Slam. "Today I felt the dream come true. I have waited too long for this moment." Li Wenwen said frankly that she had experienced too many setbacks and challenges along the way, and it still felt unreal when she stood on the podium.

Her elbow still has a slight bend from the injury. Every time she appeared in a competition, she would signal to the referee to explain that she did not not straighten her right arm during the lift.

Li Wenwen did not want to describe too much about that depressing time. Injuries have caused pain to the body, and the long recovery and retraining have also been full of challenges. Sometimes, practicing hard may not result in positive feedback, and many problems made Li Wenwen doubt herself.

"When I encounter difficulties, my brothers and sisters in the team will encourage me and help me." Li Wenwen said that after overcoming everything, she cherished every opportunity to stand on the field even more.

In this Asian Games, the Chinese weightlifting team sent a total of 10 athletes to compete. Among them, two Olympic champions, Li Wenwen and Liu Huanhua, are leading the field, and the remaining eight players are all participating in large-scale comprehensive international events for the first time.

There were seven players competing in the competition that Li Wenwen participated in. Li Wenwen, who was born in 2000, is already the oldest player among them. Growing from the youngest member of the national team to the captain, she has also become the "big sister" who helps young players grow.

"When I encountered difficulties in the past, my brothers and sisters in the team would encourage me and help me." Li Wenwen said that now it is her turn to continue the fine tradition of the Chinese weightlifting team.

Now as captain, she hopes to lead by example, set an example in training and games, and provide more support and help to young teammates when they encounter psychological difficulties.

When talking about preparing for the Los Angeles Olympics, Li Wenwen said that every day brings new challenges, but she will do well every day.