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Published on September 22, 2007

CHIANG MAI

[WEIGHTLIFTING] Stoitsov saved the best for last, keeping the spectators at the Chiang Mai 700th Anniversary Stadium glued to their seats as he went for a 205kg attempt in the clean and jerk. He cleared the task with great aplomb to the cheers of the crowd.

Despite a moderate lift of 158kg in the snatch, the 22-year-old earned two golds in the clean and jerk and the Olympic total.

"I was ready to battle even though I had lost five kilos before the competition. This is my personal best,'' said Stoitsov, who started lifting weights at the age of 13. The rewards came in the form of two world titles for the Bulgarian, who has eyes set on the Olympics in Beijing in 2008.

"Although I didn't do my best today, I won two gold in my first major competition. I hope to do the same in the Olympics,'' Stoitsov added.

Stoitsov was challenged by South Koreans Kim Kwang-hoon and Sa Jae-hyouk in the clean and jerk, as the two Asians were the only pair who asked for 200kg. Kim lifted 201kg to settle for the silver, a kilo higher than bronze medallist Sa.

The 205kg lift by the Bulgarian saw him beat European champion Gevorg Davtyan of Armenia by one kilo in the total event. Davtyan lifted 164kg to take the snatch silver and 198kg in the clean and jerk for a combined 362kg, which won him the Olympic total silver.  "For a few minutes I felt I was the champion. But the best man won today and I congratulate him,'' said Davtyan.

Asian champion Li Hong from China won the bronze.

China have 13 gold medals. while Bulgaria have won two. Cuba, South Korea and North Korea have one each.

Lerpong Amsa-ngiam

 The Nation