China's Meng Suping shows the gold medal at the awarding ceremony of the women's +75KG weightlifting group A competition at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Aug. 14, 2016. Meng Suping won the gold medal with 307KG. (Photo/Xinhua)
Meng Suping was so happy to win the gold medal in the women's over 75kg weightlifting as she said she felt she could fly without the gold medal drawing her down on the floor.
After winning the competition, Meng kneeled down three times to thank the fans, who roared to support her after she failed in her first attempts, both in the snatch and jerk.
"It's also for all my supporters, my country and the amazing land Brazil," she said.
"I came on the stage a little bit nervous. I feel extremely happy and I think I could fly without this heavy gold medal," the 27-year-old said.
The final was billed as a battle between Meng and Kim Kuk Hyang of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and so it proved.
Kim, bronze medalist at the 2015 World Championships, snatched the most of 131kg, and was being chased by Meng, who sat behind by just one kilo.
"This competition for me was a very personal challenge. I came on the stage a little bit nervous, but I was able to go forward with my weights," Meng said.
Meng's arch rival, Ttiana Kashirina of Russia was absent from the Games because the Russian weightlifting team was banned by the International Weightlifting Federation.
"It is such a pity. If there are strong competitors around me, I perform better."
Meng arrived in Brazil just one day before the Games opened. The Chinese weightlifting team decided to replace lifter Hou Zhihui of 48kg division by Meng as Hou suffered a knee injury before the Games.
Talking about her late selection in the team for the Olympics, Meng said: "I think every single Olympic athlete dreams of winning a gold medal. Since the beginning I had a lot of people supporting me and it was a very difficult journey. I am happy that I persisted and I thank all the coaches and all the people who supported me along the way."
"I think the end of last year and the beginning of this year were the most difficult time in my preparation in mind and body, (but) I was able to push through and face the challenges and pressure head on," Meng added.
