Chen win's China's third weightlifting gold

Chen Yanqing dominated the 58-kilogram category.

BEIJING // Chen Yanqing easily defended her Olympic gold medal in the women's 58kg category, winning China's third weightlifting gold medal and breaking two Olympic records. Maria Shainova of Russia was a distant second, and North Korea's O Jong Ae sneaked into third place with her final lift in a close race for the other medals. Chen lifted a total of 244kg shattering her previous Olympic record from four years ago by 7kg. She lifted 106kg in the snatch and 138kg in the clean jerk - another Olympic high score. The Olympic host nation is off to a perfect start in the weightlifting competition, with three gold medals in three attempts. Chen Xiexia won the women's 53kg competition on Saturday and Long Qingquan, 17, followed up with a second gold Sunday in the men's 56kg category. Chen Yanqing's win was the most one-sided yet. She barely broke a sweat in her three attempts in the snatch, finishing with what looked like an effortless 106kg lift. In the clean and jerk she equalled the record of 130kg in her first attempt, added 2kg for her second lift and set off loud cheers in the crowd by lifting 138kg in the third. Wandee Kameaim of Thailand was edged out of silver position by Shainova and then lost the bronze to O, who pulled off a 131kg clean and jerk in her final attempt. *AP