Weightlifting

Lại Gia Thành (third, right) and Vietnamese coaches and staff pose for photo after he win World Cup gold medal on April 1 in Thailand. VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Lại Gia Thành won first title for Việt Nam at the International Weightlifting Federation World Cup on April 1 in Phuket, Thailand.

The world champion topped the men's 55kg in the snatch event with a lift of 120kg, leaving behind two powerful ChomChuen Nathawat of Thailand (119kg) and Pang Un Chol of North Korea (118kg).

"Snatch is Thành's strong point. Our coaches worked out a suitable plan to help him vie for gold in this event against strong opponents from North Korea and the hosts," said Nguyễn Huy Hùng of the Sports Authority of Việt Nam.

In the clean&jerk, Thành made 148kg after three attempts and took bronze.

Pang topped the podium with 152kg, followed by Nathawat with 150kg.

In the total, his combined lift of 268kg gave Thành a second bronze.

Pang and Nathawat were again first and second with 270kg and 269kg, respectively.

Earlier, Việt Nam had one silver and two bronzes by Khổng Mỹ Phượng in the women's 45kg class.

Although they are World Cup's top three both Thành and Phượng will not qualify for Olympics as their categories are not included in the short list.

On April 2, two Vietnamese Trịnh Văn Vinh and Nguyễn Trần Anh Tuấn will compete in the men's 61kg. The duo is expected to bring home an Olympic slot from this tournament, the final Paris Games' qualification. VNS