CHINESE lifter Long Qingquan claimed his second Olympic gold medal when he won the men’s 56kg weightlifting event with a world record total of 307 kg.

    The 25-year-old Long, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, overcame the challenge from defending champion Om Yun Chaol of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

    Long hoisted 137 kg in snatch and 170 kg in the jerk to break the previous world best of 305 kg set by Turkish legend Halil Mutlu 16 years ago in the Sydney 2000 Games.

    Om, 24, snatched 134 kg and jerked 169 kg for a combined lift of 303 kg to settle for the silver medal.

    Long is the first weightlifter with eight years between his first and second Olympic gold medal, in any men’s and women’s weightlifting event.

    “I am really happy. I am really proud. I came to this competition with two dreams: to win the competition and break the world record and I did both.” Long said.

    “I have prepared for the competition for four years because I did not get to compete in the (London) 2012 Olympic Games. After four years I did it,” said Long.

    Om was beaten for the first time in a major competition since he won this event at the London Olympics in 2012.

    “I do not feel satisfied. I was hoping for gold. I put a lot of effort in. I just did not win,” Om said.(SD-Agencies)