China's Cao breaks 3 records, wins weightlifting gold medal
Associated Press
BEIJING — Cao Lei has won China's seventh weightlifting gold medal, smashing three Olympic records in the process.
As expected, the double world champion dominated the women's 75-kilogram division Friday, heaving 128 kg (282.2 pounds) in the snatch and 154 kg (339.5 pounds) in the clean and jerk.
She set new Olympic records in both, as well as with her total score of 282 kg (621.7 pounds).
Alla Vazhenina of Kazakhstan won a close duel for the silver medal with Russian lifter Nadezda Evstyukhina.
Cao's win capped China's gold rush in women's weightlifting. Chinese women entered four of the seven weight categories — the maximum allowed — and won all four.
The Olympic host also has won three gold medals in the men's competition.