Chapter 67: Snatch
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
"Isn't that Aiguo Jiang? Why is he here? I thought he was in the 69kg weight class. Why is he in the 62kg pre-weighing room? Is he lost?"
"The scheduled date and time for the competitions was sent to the athletes in advance. The competition for the 69kg weight class is later. How could he not know?"
"Does that mean he transferred to the 62kg?"
"How is that possible? I think he is over 30-years-old. Athletes that age are close to retirement. How could he transfer to another weight class, especially a lighter one?"
"Who knows. There is no athlete in the 62kg weight class for the Hanbei Provincial team. Their strengths are the 77kg and 85kg weight classes. I think they want to add more athletes because it is their home field this time. That is why they put him here."
"Let's go and see. It is difficult for a 69kg weight class athlete to transfer to the 62kg weight class. Maybe he will be knocked out right after the weighing takes place."
A couple experienced athletes discussed amongst themselves in low voices. Some young athletes were looked at Jiang curiously because they did not even know him.
For other weightlifting athletes, it was very exhausting to control their weight. However, Dai Li had solved this problem for Jiang, so he no longer needed to worry about that. He was qualified to take part in the game because he weigh in at 61.88kg.
There were only 25 athletes in the competition for the 62kg weight class. This was because the competition was being held by Qing City, which was located in the north coastal area. The provinces next to Qing City were not famous for weightlifting in the lighter weight classes. If the game had been held by a southwestern city, there might be more athletes in the 62kg competition.
According to international rules, organizers divided the athletes into groups A and B based on their abilities when there were too many participants. The athletes who were superior would be put in group A, while the rest were put in group B. Normally, the champion was in group A, but there were exceptions. For example, one time in the Olympic games, the Korean athlete who broke the Olympic game's record was actually from group B. He defeated the athletes in group A successfully and won the gold medal.
This time around, there were 12 people in group A. They were all top-level athletes. Those in group B were inferior compared to group A. This was Jiang's first time to taking part in the 62kg weight class competition. He had no record on this level, so he was put in group B without a second thought.
Weightlifting was divided into two categories: the snatch and the clean and jerk. The athletes were asked to snatch first. Everybody got three attempts. Then they would be asked to complete the clean and jerk. Everyone got three attempts for this activity as well.
Once the game had begun, all the athletes would write their trial record on the paper and give it to the judge. From there, one could only increase the weight. With the increase in weight, athletes would lift weights in the order they had chosen.
For the first trial lift, the athlete would choose a weight that they could definitely lift. Because the weight could only be increased after it was given to the referee, the athletes preferred to leave a basic guaranteed record. If the record given to the referee was too high, the athlete might fail to lift it all three trial times, which would eliminate them without even obtaining a record.
The referee would keep the records handed in by the athletes a secret to prevent competitors from drawing up a strategy against each other. The athletes had no idea who was the next until it was their turn.
The athletes in group B obviously underachieved compared to group A. The first athlete was a complete newbie. He only chose 115kg for his first trial lift. It was so light that everyday guys who attended the gym regularly could lift it.
The first athlete lifted his weight successfully. The second athlete raised the weight to 117kg, while the following athlete did the same.
With the increase in weight, there were more and more new faces appearing on the field, meaning more and more people failed. Once the weight was raised to 130kg, 12 athletes from group B had finished their trial lift. However, Jiang had not gone yet.
"It is 130kg already! Jiang still has not shown up! Which number did he write for his trial lift?" Some people began to feel confused. Some of the athletes had already finished three trial lifts, while Jiang had not even begun his very first trial lift.
Finally, once the weight increased to 135kg, Jiang came out.
"He chose 135kg as his first trial. Even if he was in group A, it would be above average, right?"
"The trial lift in group A is 130kg. Now it has been increased to 138kg. There were three athletes who chose this weight for their first trial lift. Two of them succeeded the first time, and one of them succeeded the second."
"It seems that there is still a big difference between groups A and B. But considering Jiang lifted 135kg for his first trial, he should be qualified enough to be put into group A."
Jiang was ready while the others talked to each other. 135kg was very easy for him. He lifted it easily, wasting no time.
"He made it! Not bad. I wonder what his next weight will be. 136kg?"
"He lifted it effortlessly. I think he could make it 137kg or 138kg. But not more than that. Even athletes from group A might fail 138kg."
Dai Li had a satisfied smile on his face. The fat loss exercises had helped Jiang maintain most of his muscles. This weight was very easy for him because he was a former 69kg weight class athlete. Although he was in the 62kg weight class now, he still possessed superior ability.
When the weight was increased to 136kg, Jiang did not show up. The same happened for 137kg. When the weight rose to 138kg, there was only one athlete remaining besides Jiang.
Another athlete's third trial lift was 138kg, which seemed to be beyond his abilities. In the end, he did not complete his attempt.
"Now there is only Jiang left. It is time for him to go. He has only lifted once!"
Right after the person spoke, somebody walked on the field. It was not Jiang, but a member of the staff. They ran out and raised the weight to 140kg.
"Jiang chose 140kg as his second trial lift?"
"Even if he was in group A, there would not be more than three or four athletes who could lift 140kg. He raised it 5kg. It is too difficult to do in one shot."
"Look, he did it! He lifted 140kg!"
Jiang held the 140kg of weight steadily on the field. He put it on the floor once he heard the notification sound. With three white lights showing, Jiang had successfully completed his trial lifts.
There was a shocked expression on Gang Shi's eyes, who was standing far from the field.
"He successfully dropped down to the 62kg weight class. If he were in his 20s it would make sense. But he is 32-years-old already. How did he manage to do it?"
Jiang was the only one from group B who had not finished the competition. He did not have much time to rest, and began his third trial immediately. The weight was 141kg.