Chinese powerlifter Tan sets world record four times on way to Asian gold

By Gary Anderson

November 5 - China's London 2012 silver medallist Yujiao Tan smashed the world record four times on her way to claiming gold in the women's under 67 kilogramme class at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Powerlifting Asian Open Championships in Kuala Lumpur.

Tan's first effort saw her lift 120kg to break the previous mark of 119kg set by Egyptian Amal Mahmoud earlier this year before lifting 127kg and 132kg with her next two efforts to secure her the Asian title.

With the gold medal assured, the 23-year-old thrilled the crowds inside the Titiwangsa Stadium by lifting an incredible 135kg with her fourth and final effort to finish an astonishing 55kg ahead of second placed, Malaysia's Fatima Wagimin, with Jordan's Asma Issa taking the bronze.

A further three world records were set on the third day of action in the Malaysian capital.

Egyptian Fatma Omar Mohammed celebrated he 40th birthday in style by becoming Asian champion with a world record of 132kg in the under 61kg category, ahead of Nigerian Lucy Ogechukwu Ekije and a disappointing bronze for Mexico's Paralympic champion Amalia Perez.

In the men's under 72kg category Iran's Roohallah Rostami dominated proceedings by taking gold and setting a world's best lift of 210kg, beating the previous mark by 10kg as he finished ahead of China's London 2012 Hu Peng with India's Rajinder Singh Rahelu claiming bronze.

Paralympic champion Lei Liu followed up his exploits in London with a disappointing bronze medal in Kuala Lumpur

There was another surprising bronze for a Paralympic champion in the men's under 65kg as China's Lei Liu could only manage a lift of 180kg, finishing behind second placed man Egypt's Shaban Tehia El Dessoky Ibrahim, while Iraq's Mohsin Rasool looked very impressive as he lifted 210kg to claim the gold medal and set a world record mark.