Chinese Qiu Hongmei grabbed the gold in the women's 58kg class at the Asian Weightlifting Championships thanks to a world record 141kg jerk in Tai'an, Shandong Province on Monday.

Qiu, 24, hoisted a total of 241kg, with a 100kg in the snatch added to her world record jerk. She bested by one kilo the previous record set at 140kg by fellow Chinese Chen Yanqing.

Thongsuk Sureeat of Thailand came in second place, far behind on 214kg, while Yumnam Bala Chanu from India had to settle for bronze with 204kg.

Qiumade three clear lifts at 125kg, 135kg and 141kg in jerk, besting her previous personal best of 130kg set at the 2006 World Championships where she triumphed.

"I wanted to break Chen's record, and I was very confident I could do it", said Qiu, "I didn't perform very well in the snatch. I hoped to lift 112kg, but I only made 100kg."

In the snatch, Qiu saw her performance waver, only succeeding in snatching 100kg at the last try after two failures.

Kameaim Wandee from Thailand, winner of the 9th World University Championships, finished second in the snatch at 92kg after failing to emulate Qiu at the 100kg bar.

"Qiu's performance justified our winter training", said Li Shunzhu, coach of the Chinese weightlifting women's team, "Although she broke the world record of the jerk, she must still gain experience at international level in the snatch."

"The Chinese team will not rest on is laurels. Despite breaking the world record, this was at the Asian Championships, and we are still paying attention to athletes from Europe," Li added. 

(Xinhua News Agency April 24, 2007)