Vietnamese weightlifter wins International Weightlifting Federation World Cup
Lai Gia Thanh won the first title for Vietnam at the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup on April 1 in Phuket, Thailand.
Lai Gia Thanh (third, right) and Vietnamese coaches and staff pose for a photo after he wins the World Cup gold medal on April 1 in Thailand. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Lai Gia Thanh won the first title for Vietnam at the InternationalWeightlifting Federation World Cup on April 1 in Phuket, Thailand.
The worldchampion topped the men's 55kg in the snatch event with a lift of 120kg,leaving behind two powerful ChomChuen Nathawat of Thailand (119kg) and Pang UnChol of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (118kg).
"Snatchis Thanh's strong point. Our coaches worked out a suitable plan to help him viefor gold in this event against strong opponents from the Democratic People’sRepublic of Korea and the hosts," said Nguyen Huy Hung of the SportsAuthority of Vietnam.
In the clean& jerk, Thanh made 148kg after three attempts and took the bronze.
Pang toppedthe podium with 152kg, followed by Nathawat with 150kg.
In thetotal, his combined lift of 268kg gave Thanh a second bronze.
Pang andNathawat were again first and second with 270kg and 269kg, respectively.
Earlier, Vietnamhad one silver and two bronzes by Khong My Phuong in the women's 45kg class.
Althoughthey are World Cup's top three both Thanh and Phuong will not qualify forOlympics as their categories are not included in the short list.
On April 2,two Vietnamese Trinh Van Vinh and Nguyen Tran Anh Tuan will compete in themen's 61kg. The duo is expected to bring home an Olympic slot from thistournament, the final Paris Games' qualification./.
VNA
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