Topic: News: Tamas Ajan Worships Flavor of the Month

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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IWF chief backs China to dominate

BEIJING: International Weightlifting Federation chief Tamas Ajan is tipping hosts China to dominate the event at the Beijing Olympics, which the world's strongest man has chosen to sit out on doctor's orders.

"China is one of the chief superpowers in this sport. The country has the world's largest weightlifting federation and China's weightlifters, both men and women, represent the cream of the sport," Ajan said in a message to the Games, published on the IWF website.

Noting that China have won five gold at the last Olympics in Athens, he said: "In my opinion they will not settle for less on home turf either."

The hosts are world powers in women's weightlifting, but competition rules meant they had to dump Yang Lian, who set a world record this year, in favor of world champion and national champion Chen Xiexia for the lone 48kg slot.

China picked their weightlifting team last month, but have delayed an official announcement of the other chosen lifters.

The hosts are also spoilt for choice in the men's competition, with one of 2007 world champion Fan Yang, Athens gold medalist Shi Ziyong, and current 62kg national champion Liao Hui expected to be dropped from the team as each country can field a maximum of two men lifters per class.

A record 88 countries are competing for the men's and women's lifting gold medals, but these Games will be notable for the absence of the sport's lone recognized global superstar.

Iran last month announced the withdrawal of Hossein Rezazadeh, the double Olympic champion who also holds all the world records in the over 105kg category. His slot went to Asian champion Rashid Sharifi.

Rezazadeh, now 30, was advised by the Iranian weightlifting federation to follow his doctor's orders to avoid "heavy and stressful activity" to fully recover from a 2007 knee injury he sustained in a car crash.

"I am sure that my young friends are very well able to repeat the national honor in the 2008 Olympic Games and therefore I accept the doctors' suggestion," Rezazadeh said.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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IWF chief: China's first gold at Beijing Games proves sporting power

BEIJING, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- Tamas Ajan, president of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), said Saturday that China's first gold medal, clinched by a strongwoman, at the Beijing Olympics confirmed the country's competitiveness.

"China's sport is very strong," Ajan said. "Weightlifting is exceptionally strong."

Chinese weightlifter Chen Xiexia hoisted a total of 212kg in weightlifting women's 48kg category, grabbing the host's first gold at the Beijing Games.

"Today's result confirmed that," said Ajan. "I would like to extend my congratulations to the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Chinese people."

The IWF chief threw kudos to the Chinese weightlifting administrations, coaches and the strongmen and women, saying they were "well organized, and well educated."

Talking about the opening ceremony of the Games, Ajan described it as "unbelievable spectacular."

"I've participated in 16 Olympics," he said. "The Beijing Games' opening was very impressive."

"It's the nicest opportunity in my life," he added.

He also believed the Olympics brought positive development and change in China, furthering the nation's modernization.

On his goal in the Beijing Games as the IWF chief, Ajan hoped the Olympics would further popularize the weightlifting sport.

He also expected clean weightlifting competitions and Olympics, saying "this is very important."

"I share the view on anti-doping with President Jacques Rogge," he said.

On his part, Yu Zaiqing, newly-elected vice president of the International Olympic Committee and vice president of the Chinese Olympic Committee, said this first gold meant much to the Chinese delegation.

"We had expected this gold," he said. "We are happy that the expectation comes true." 

[Paul LaDuke]

The Chinese success smells of systematic doping to me.  They have a government who wants success and values the government more than the individual.  They have the desire to prove that their way of life is superior to all others in the world.  They have the science and technology to beat WADA.  They have a huge population base that makes it very difficult for international officials to find athletes.  Their languages make it difficult if not impossible for international officials to communicate.  These circumstances lead to the implication that they systematically dope! 

I will disregard all of their medalists as cheaters (forced by their government to cheat, which is even more immoral IMHO).

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

The Chinese success smells of systematic doping to me.

 

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

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Second Chinese rookie Long hits gold in weightlifting

BEIJING, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese strongman Long Qingquan lifted the gold medal of the men's 56kg category at the Beijing Olympics Games here on Sunday.

This is the second gold medal for the Chinese weightlifting team at the Games after Chen Xinxia had claimed the title of women's 48kg class on Saturday.

"A new era begins." said International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) president Tamas Ajan, "A new generation is stepping on the stage. Yesterday a young girl won the gold medal, today a sweet little boy won again. This is a young generation, and a clean generation without any doping concern. This is the future for weightlifting. I am happy about that."

The baby-faced Long snatched 132kg and jerked 160kg for a winning total of 292kg. Vietnam's Hoang Anh Tuan took the silver at 290kg and Eko Yuli Irawan of Indonesia had the bronze at 288kg.

"I am satisfied with the results, I achieved my goal before the game, " said Long, "To tell the truth, I am a little bit nervous, but I tried not to think about it. I have confidence on myself and I focused on my lift. I didn't think about any pressure during the training before the Games."

"Except Cha Kum Chol of DPR Korea, I know little about other lifters, but I think this is not a bad thing, because I could pay all my attention to my own lift," added Long.

The 18-year-old claimed 125kg in the snatch and went to 132kg after three lifts to list first place before the clean and jerk, which broke the former junior world records.

Hoang and Irawan finished with 130kg and posted a challenge to Long, while Yang Chin-yi of Chinese Taipei and Cha Kum Chol of DPR Korea remained in the competition with 128kg.

Beijing Olympics is the first international competition for Long as he entered the national team in the year of 2007, but the rookie stunned world champions Li Zheng in the national championships in April to make sure his seat in the China's Olympics squad.

He lifted 292kg, which was 5kg more than the best international competition result since 2006.

Long, who is believed as another talented player in the men's flyweight category, continued his leading with 155kg in the first lift. While Irawan and Hoang answered with 155kg, Long lifted 160kg in the second lift and stayed in the top.

[Chris Ⓐ LeRoux]

"A new era begins." said International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) president Tamas Ajan, "A new generation is stepping on the stage. Yesterday a young girl won the gold medal, today a sweet little boy won again. This is a young generation, and a clean generation without any doping concern. This is the future for weightlifting. I am happy about that."