Chinese rookie Wang Hao claims two golds at World Weightlifting Championships

FORDE -- China's rookie Wang Hao secured two gold medals in the men's 60kg snatch and total on the second day of the IWF World Weightlifting Championships here on Friday.

Wang, 27, who won the men's 56kg title at the 2017 IWF World Junior Championships, made his senior world championships debut by topping the snatch with 138kg and achieving a winning total of 302kg, including 164kg in the clean and jerk.

"This was my first time at the world championships, and I was excited. Both my body and mind responded quickly, though I was somewhat emotional. The results were slightly below my expectations, but my coach advised me to avoid overexertion and maintain stable performance to gradually extend the lead during the competition," said Wang, who began weightlifting at age 10.

"A world championship title is both a personal achievement and a tribute to the Olympic and world champions from my hometown Fujian, who are all my role models," he continued. Wang comes from Fujian province in southern China, which has produced at least seven Olympic champions, including Shi Zhiyong, Zhang Guozheng, and Zhang Xiangxiang.

Thailand's Theerapong Silachai claimed silver in the total with 299kg, while Pang Un Chol of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) took bronze with 295kg. Another Chinese debutant Yuan Hao, placed fifth overall with a new junior world record of 132kg in the snatch, 149kg in the clean and jerk, totaling 281kg.

In the women's 53kg category, DPRK's Kang Hyon Gyong secured two titles in the clean and jerk and total with lifts of 93-121-214. Mihaela-Valentina Cambei of Romania won gold in the snatch and silver in the total with 94-114-208, while Thailand's Surodchana Khambao earned bronze in the total with 200kg.

The men's 65kg and women's 58kg competitions are scheduled for Saturday.