Chen Yanqing easily defended her gold medal in the women’s 58-kilogram category yesterday, winning China’s third gold medal in the weightlifting competition and breaking two Olympic records.

Maria Shainova of Russia was second and North Korea’s O Jong Ae got the bronze. Chen lifted a total of 244 kilograms (537.9 pounds), shattering her previous Olympic record from four years ago by 7 kgs (15.4 pounds).

She took 106 kgs (233.7 pounds) in the snatch and 138 kgs (304.2 pounds) in the clean jerk – another Olympic high score.

... and Zhang wins China’s fourth

Zhang Xiangxiang extended China’s perfect record in weightlifting to four gold medals as he outlasted his closest rivals yesterday in the men’s 62-kilogram division.

Zhang snatched 143 kgs (315.3 pounds) and lifted 176 kgs (388 pounds) in the clean and jerk for a total of 319 kgs (703.3 pounds).

Colombia’s Diego Salazar won the silver medal at 305 kgs (672.4 pounds), 7 kgs (15.4 pounds) ahead of bronze medalist Triyatno of Indonesia.

Zhang was under pressure in the snatch from Ji Hun-min of South Korea and Im Young Su of North Korea, but both bombed out in the clean and jerk.

After the medal ceremony he knelt down on his knees and bowed to the ecstatic home crowd. It was Zhang’s second Olympic medal after a bronze in Sydney 2000 in the 56-kg division. It was also his last competition, he said.