Chinese Weightlifting, 举重, known to have a powerhouse of weightlifters who are constantly earning the Gold Medal in various weight classes, have the best weightlifting program in the world. The national team, housing and have housed the best weightlifters in the World such as Lu Xiaojun, Deng Wei, Tian Tao, Shi Zhiyong, Liao Hui, Zhan Xugang, Zhang Wangli, Zhang Guozheng and many more, has the best facilities and system set in place.

Those weightlifters have shown incredible mental toughness in the past, competing while in extreme pain, just to make it through the Olympic Events. The best example is Zhang Guozheng, who suffered immensely in the 2004 Olympics, after his second attempt in the clean and jerk, where he semi dislocated his waist. With Immense Pain, and because his 1st Place was in jeopardy, he came onto the stage and went for the last attempt. His waist then completely dislocated. He could barely get off the stage and had to be helped. In the end, he won the Gold Medal. Lu Xiaojun in 2019, went for various clean and jerk attempts, having extreme back issues, before even his first attempt. He managed to still lift and win Gold in all 3 Categories. Cameras show him laying on the floor between the 2nd and 3rd attempts for over 10 minutes. There are way more similar examples in Chinese Weightlifting History.

Chinese Weightlifting Levels

There is another level for candidates at first. It's the 3rd Level. See below:

52 KG - 125 KG ... 56 KG - 145 KG ... 62 KG - 170 KG
69 KG - 200 KG ... 77 KG - 220 KG ... 85 KG - 235 KG
94 KG - 245 KG ... 105 KG - 260 KG ... +105 KG - 270 KG

The level used to be for "Pass" is a 2nd Level Athlete. In order to be considered a 1st Level athlete, one must achieve the numbers that are corresponding to "Good". In order to be considered a Sportsman, one must achieve "Great". In order to be able to compete internationally, one must achieve "Gold Numbers". It is to note that recently the weightlifting classes have changed. Therefore, this weightlifting standard chart, as it has existed for years, will be changed in the future.

Chinese Weightlifting Training

Chinese Weightlifting Training is hard and does not provide a lot of time off. Those athletes at the top train for hours a day, most of the time two or three times a day. Over and over technique is trained, also from an early age. Their training is very systematic and is proof tested. They have the ability to train in an environment, which cuts away all distractions and allows the athletes to focus on their training, recovery, and professional development.

Chinese Weightlifting Nutrition

Their training is as strict as their nutrition is. Those weightlifters who made it to the National Team usually eat in the cafeteria of the compound. Their diet consists of a lot of greens, a lot of vegetables. They are also advised by nutrition experts on what to eat, when, and how much in order to become more efficient. Most Lifters, as the weight classes changed, have a hard time to gain weight for their respective weight class, but still manage to win Gold.

Chinese Weightlifting Quotes

"I don‘t consider members of other federations to be my rivals. The world record is the rival I’m fighting.” Lu Xiaojun