Chinese weightlifter Li Fabin showcased his exceptional skills and defended his men's 61kg weightlifting title at the Olympics, setting a new Olympic record in the process. The 31-year-old athlete lifted an impressive 143kg in the snatch segment, breaking the Olympic record. Fabin, who also holds the world record of 146kg in this discipline for his weight category, displayed his prowess and determination.
In the clean and jerk portion of the competition, Fabin lifted 167kg successfully but fell short in his attempt at 172kg. Despite this, he managed to retain his Olympic gold, which he had previously won in Tokyo three years ago with a combined score of 310.
Theerapong Silachai from Thailand secured the silver medal with 303 points, while Hampton Morris from Team USA clinched the bronze with 298 points. Morris made a bold move in his final attempt, aiming for the silver medal with a world record try at 178kg in the clean and jerk. Although he holds the current record at 176kg, Morris couldn't complete the jerk part of the lift after successfully executing the clean. Despite his disappointment, Morris left the stage with a smile, acknowledging the crowd's applause for his valiant effort.
