Luo Shifang beats Canada's Maude Charron as China remains perfect in Olympic weightlifting

PARIS (AP) — Luo Shifang beat Maude Charron of Canada in the women's 59-kilogram division on Thursday, making China a perfect 3 for 3 in the opening weightlifting events at the Paris Olympics.

The 23-year-old Luo set three Games records, lifting 107 kilograms (236 pounds) in the snatch and 137 kilograms (302 pounds) in the clean and jerk to finish with a score of 241 for gold. Charron, the winner at 64 kilograms in Tokyo, took silver with a score of 236. Taiwan’s Kuo Hsing-chun, the winner of the 59 kilograms in 2021, took bronze at 235.

Luo dominated in her Olympic debut after sweeping gold at the world championship last year. China's Li Fabin won the men’s 61 kilograms and Hou Zhihui won the women’s 49 kilograms on Wednesday.

The weightlifting powerhouse nation could add two more titles in Paris, with Shi Zhiyong in the men’s 73 kilograms later Thursday and Li Wenwen in the women’s +81 kilograms on Sunday. Each won Olympic gold three years ago.

Luo, Charron and Kuo were all in the same competition after the number of Olympic weight classes was reduced from seven to five in men's and women's competitions.

Earlier Thursday, the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed an application by Spanish weightlifter David Sánchez López, who asked for Turkey to be banned from competition based on a recent doping punishment levied against Turkish Weightlifting Federation when three members were found guilty. It would have only affected the men's 73-kilogram division, which Turkey's Muhammed Furkan Özbek will compete in as scheduled instead of López replacing him in the competition.

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AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games