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In the early morning of August 9th, Beijing time, in the men's 73kg weightlifting final of the Paris Olympics, Shi Zhiyong, a veteran of the Chinese weightlifting team and a two-time Olympic champion, launched an attack on his third Olympic gold medal. In the snatch competition, Shi Zhiyong lifted 165 kg and ranked first. However, due to injuries in the clean and jerk, Shi Zhiyong failed to lift 191 kg three times. This also means that the veteran missed the medal. After the game, Shi Zhiyong shed tears on the court. He choked and said that he was sorry for everyone, but he had tried his best. Indonesian player Rizki Juniansha won the gold medal in the event with a total score of 354 kg.

The Paris Olympics is Shi Zhiyong's third Olympic Games. As early as the 2016 Rio Olympics, Shi Zhiyong, who was only 23 years old at the time, won the men's 69kg weightlifting championship, defending the glory of the Chinese team in this level for many years. In the men's 73kg weightlifting competition at the Tokyo Olympics, Shi Zhiyong won the championship with a snatch of 166kg, a clean and jerk of 198kg, and a total score of 364kg, breaking his own world record for the total score.

▲Shi Zhiyong in the game. According to Visual China

For Shi Zhiyong, who is already 30 years old, it is not easy to participate in the Paris Olympics. In the preparation for the Paris Olympics, Shi Zhiyong suffered a serious waist injury. For two years before that, he had almost no systematic training. It was not until after the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou that Shi Zhiyong reluctantly tried to resume systematic training.

▲Shi Zhiyong in the game. According to Visual China

In April this year, Shi Zhiyong failed to lift a 196kg barbell to his head in the men's 73kg class of the 2024 Weightlifting World Cup. A few minutes later, Indonesian athlete Junianxia, ​​who was not yet 21 years old at the time, succeeded in the clean and jerk attempt of 201kg, breaking the world record of 364kg set by Shi Zhiyong when he won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics with a total score of 365kg.

▲Shi Zhiyong in the game. According to Xinhua News Agency

After the game, Shi Zhiyong said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency that he had tried his best. "I feel a little bit sorry, but our doctor told me that it is a miracle that I can practice. Now I can still compete, so I have been creating miracles. Although I came in second, I feel that I have defeated myself. This may be the greatest charm of our competitive sports - defeating ourselves."

After knowing that he was selected for the Paris Olympics, Shi Zhiyong said that the three Olympics are more difficult than the last, "but we must have firm faith and clear goals to move forward!" Regarding his expectations for the Paris Olympics, the veteran told the media that his waist injury has improved a lot and his condition is better than that of the World Cup in Thailand. He has the opportunity to give it a try. "Many people asked me if I can win this gold medal. To be honest, I don't know now. After all, my opponents are very strong and in good condition, but I will do my best to win the championship in Paris."

In the early morning competition today, Shi Zhiyong failed to lift 191 kg in three attempts and missed the medal. After the competition, Shi Zhiyong shed tears of resignation. He revealed: "I was probably a little anxious in the first clean and jerk, and I was a little confused when I couldn't lift it in the second. In the third attempt, my adductor muscle might have broken, and I heard a 'pop' sound."

Shi Zhiyong said very remorsefully: "I'm sorry to the Chinese weightlifting team. Everyone has always trusted me and given me the best support, but I failed to make any contribution. I think I have failed." He said that his spiritual support is the Olympics. Now that the Olympics are over, he may consider retiring. "I really can't stand the pain. I really tried my best, but I didn't achieve the expected results. I'm sorry to everyone."

Red Star News reporter Qiu Junfeng

Editor: Guo Yu, Editor-in-Chief: Deng Feiguang