In a thrilling opening session at the South Paris Arena, Li Fabin of China secured his second consecutive Olympic gold medal in the 61kg weightlifting category, setting a new Olympic record in the snatch.
The arena, filled to nearly full capacity with 4,000 spectators, witnessed a high-stakes battle and dramatic moments throughout the competition.
Li, who was defending his Tokyo 2020 title, encountered a scare when he failed his first clean and jerk attempt. However, he made a strong comeback to finish with a total of 310 kg, including 143 kg in the snatch and 167 kg in the clean and jerk. Although his total was slightly less than his Tokyo record of 313 kg, Li’s performance in Paris showcased his resilience and skill. At 31, he reflected on his future, hinting at a possible retirement. “I haven’t thought about carrying on, but now that I’ve come here and experienced this, I have to consider whether I continue to Los Angeles or not,” Li said.
Rising star Theerapong Silachai from Thailand claimed the silver medal with a personal best total of 303 kg. Silachai, known for his consistency, lifted 132 kg in the snatch and 171 kg in the clean and jerk. He expressed aspirations for future success, aiming to surpass 315 kg to win gold in 2028.
Hampton Morris of the USA earned the bronze medal, becoming the first American male weightlifter to medal since 1984. Morris achieved a total weight of 298 kg, with 126 kg in the snatch and 172 kg in the clean and jerk. Despite falling short of his clean and jerk world record, Morris celebrated his accomplishment with his father and coach. “It was incredible—so much more than I had anticipated,” Morris said, emphasizing his belief in his potential.
The session was marked by dramatic failures, with five lifters failing to complete their attempts. Notable among them was Eko Yuli Irawan of Indonesia, who initially excelled in the snatch but failed on all three clean and jerk attempts, missing out on a record-tying fifth consecutive Olympic medal. Other notable bombouts included Ivan Dimov of Bulgaria, Trinh Van Vinh of Vietnam, Sergio Massidda of Italy, and John Ceniza of the Philippines, who could not complete their snatch attempts.
The weightlifting events at the Paris Games began with intense competition and high drama, setting the stage for an exciting continuation of the Olympic weightlifting program.
