China swept two of the three gold medals on offer on the fourth competition day of powerlifing at the Beijing Paralympic Games on Saturday.
Veterans Bian Jianxin and Fu Taoying claimed the women's 60kg and 67.5kg category respectively, putting China's gold total to four.
Bian, 34, gold medallist of the women's 48kg category in 2004 Athens Paralympics, lifted 135kg to clinch the 60kg category gold and break the world record.
Amal Mahmoud Osman of Egypt took the silver in 117.5kg, while the bronze went to Pa Igbiti of Nigeria in 110kg.
Though she failed in her first attempt of 134kg, Bian succeeded in her second to break the world record. She then renewed her record to 135kg in her third lift. Bian tried 136kg in her fourth attempt, but failed.
"It was a mistake to choose such a heavy weight in the first attempt," she said. "I didn't feel good physically. Fortunately, I made it in the next try."
"I feel more excited this time, as a champion we should always challenge our limits and ourselves. Even though I lifted 4kg less than what I had expected, I won the gold anyway," she said.
In the women's 67.5kg category, three-time Paralympian Fu Taoying lifted 142.5kg to win the fourth gold for the host. Fu lifted 145.5kg in her fourth attempt to break the world record of 144kg, which was made by herself in 2007.
Amoge Victoria Nneji of Nigeria lifted 132.5kg to take the silver, while the bronze went to Rasha Alshikh of Syria in 117.5kg.
"It is my third Paralympics," said Fu, winner of the 56kg category in 2000 Sydney Paralympics and 60kg in 2004 Athens Paralympics. "I really want to win a medal at home, and now it comes true."
Apart from the two gold medals, China also collected a bronze, as Wu Maoshun lifted 200kg in the men's 67.5kg category.
Metwaly Ibrahim Mathna claimed one more gold for Egypt, as the hercules lifted 217.5kg, while Ali Hosseini of Iran lifted 215kg to take the silver.
Sunday will see women's 75kg, 82.5kg and over 82.5kg category, as well as the men's 75kg category.
(Xinhua News Agency September 13, 2008)