Russian weightlifter Oxana Slivenko broke the world record for the total lifted in the women's 69kg category to retain her world title on Monday.

 

Slivenko, 21, struck gold in the clean and jerk, lifting 156kg and beating China's Liu Chunhong who hoisted 150kg.

 

"I knew it was very difficult to beat the Olympic Champion, but I was very confident that I could win the gold medal, because that's what I'm here for," Slivenko said.

 

The 21-year-old failed to break her own world record in the snatch, but set a new record lifting 276kg in aggregate, one kilo over the old world record held by Liu.

 

"I've been absent from the international competitions for one year. I am satisfied with my result today, although I didn't win the gold medal," said Liu.

 

Liu sustained an elbow injury in the 2006 worlds in Santo Domingo and was forced to quit her jerk competition.

 

"I have found my motivation again through this competition," she said.

 

"The stronger the opponent is, the stronger my determination is."

 

Slivenko won silver in the snatch with 120kg, while Liu claimed gold hoisting 121kg.

 

Natalya Davydova from Ukraine won bronze for the total with 244kg -- 114kg in the snatch and 130kg in the clean and jerk.

 

(Xinhua News Agency September 25, 2007)