Winarni lifts Indonesia to second bronze
Winarni lifts Indonesia to second bronze
SYDNEY (Agencies): Former world champion Winarni handed
Indonesia its second bronze at the 2000 Olympic Games here on
Monday when she finished third in the women's weightlifting
competition.
Inspired by teammate Lisa Rumbewas who clinched a bronze the
day earlier, Winarni hoisted 90 kgs in snatch and 112 kgs in
clean and jerk for a total lift of 202.5 kgs in the 53 kg
division event.
"I had never thought I could win the bronze, because I used to
compete in 48 kg division," a shy looking Winarni told Antara.
She added the Olympic bronze gave her more pride than the gold
medal she won in the 1997 World Championships in Chiang Mai,
Thailand.
"This is my best achievement ever which I could dedicate to my
country. I thank God and my coach who is here just to see me
compete," she said.
The coach, Imron Rosadi, said Winarni had yet to reach her
peak form as she managed to hoist 97.5 kgs in the snatch and
117.5 kgs during her training session prior to the Olympics.
China's Yang Xia set new world marks in the snatch, clean and
jerk and overall divisions to take the gold in the 53kg division
with a total of 225 kgs (100 kgs and 125 kgs). She beat world
champion and former countrywoman Li Feng-ying who represented
Chinese Taipei.
Li, who won a world championship bronze medal for China in
1994 before going into a four year hibernation from the sport,
took silver with 212.5 kgs (97.5 kgs and 115 kgs).
"I am very happy as I did not prepare well for today as I had
an injury," said Yang. "I used to be on the same team as Li and I
expected her to perform well today. But I felt calm and confident
throughout."
Mexican weightlifter Soraya Jimenez produced a mighty final
lift to take the gold in the women's 58 kg category later in the
day and deny North Korean favorite Ri Song-hui.
Ri took silver but the North Korean team appealed to the jury,
claiming there had been an irregularity during her penultimate
lift.
The jury dismissed the appeal within minutes and confirmed
Jimenez as winner.
Suta Khassaraporn of Thailand took bronze.
Ri appeared to be cruising towards gold until her second lift
of the clean-and-jerk section when she was penalized for
exceeding the one-minute time limit.
She looked startled when the buzzer sounded to indicate she
had wasted the attempt at 122.5 kg.
The Korean then succeeded at the same weight with her final
lift to put herself back in the gold medal position.
She jumped off the platform and celebrated with her coach,
seemingly convinced she had sealed victory.
But Jimenez asked for 127.5 kg to be put on the bar and lifted
it agonizingly over her head to win gold by just 2.5 kgs and give
Mexico its first gold medal in Olympic weightlifting history.
Her final score was 222.5 kg to Ri's 220. Suta was a further
10 kg back on 210 kg.
"I made lots of sacrifices to get here tonight and I want to
dedicate this victory to my grandfather," said Jimenez, who was
roared on by a small but loud cluster of flag-waving Mexicans in
the Sydney Convention Center.
"Many thoughts are going through my mind... I am very, very
happy. I've been working very, very hard."