Li Lizhi of Changsha competes during the men's 56kg category weight lifting final at the 6th Chinese City Games in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 31, 2007. Li Lizhi lifted 286 kg in the total at the finals on Wednesday, the same result as his teammate Tao Jin, and claimed the title for his lighter weight.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    WUHAN, Central China, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Li Lizhi, bronze medallist in the Asian Championships, clinched the gold in the men's 56kg category at the Chinese City Games here on Wednesday.

    Li, 20, representing Changsha, Hunan Province, defeated his teammate Tao Jin due to body weight advantage. Li combined lifts of 127kg in the snatch with 159kg in the clean and jerk to finish with 286kg.

    "It's the first time I win a gold," said the 20-year-old. "I am quite satisfied with my performance, though the result is not as good as that in the training."

    "The players all showed their strength," said Chen Wenbin, head coach of China's weightlifting national squad. "Li's performance exceeded my expectation."

    "Although national competitions are not as important as international events, it can still provide lots of chances to the players," Chen added.

    Tao, 19, combined lifts of 128kg in the snatch with 158kg in the clean and jerk to finish with 286kg, lost to Li due to body weight disadvantage to take the silver.

    "I lost to Li due to body weight disadvantage," said Tao. "My personal best in the training is 295kg.

    "We are roommates, and my results in the training were always better than him," Tao added.

    Wu Jingbiao, silver medallist in World Junior Championships in Prague, finished third at 280kg.

    Wu took a slight advantage in the snatch as he lifted 130kg, two kilograms more than Tao and three kilograms more than Li. He tried to lift 154kg in his last attempt in the jerk but failed.

Li Lizhi of Changsha celebrates during the men's 56kg category weight lifting final at the 6th Chinese City Games in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Oct. 31, 2007. Li lizhi lifted 286 kg in the total in the finals on Wednesday, the same result as his teammate Tao Jin, and claimed the title for his lighter weight. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

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