(Tokyo Olympics) In five years, the desperate Chen Li army took the lost back

　　China News Service, Tokyo, July 26th. Title: In five years, the desperate Chen Li army took the lost back

　　China News Agency reporter Bian Liqun

　　"The Rio Olympics, let it go, it's over." Chen Lijun, who walked off the men's 67 kg podium, turned his head to the side, and said with his left hand.

On the evening of July 25, Beijing time, in the men's 67 kg weightlifting competition at the Tokyo Olympics, Chinese athlete Chen Lijun won the championship with 145 kg snatch, 187 kg clean and jerk, and a total score of 332 kg, breaking the Olympic records for clean and jerk and total score. Won the sixth gold of this Olympic Games for the Chinese sports delegation.

The picture shows Chen Lijun taking off his mask at the award ceremony.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Han Haidan

　　This is a night that belongs to Chen Li's army, and the champion needs to digest.

That sad night in Rio 5 years ago also needed digestion.

　　That sad night was August 8, 2016, the second day after the Rio Olympics opened. After two consecutive snatch failures, Chen Lijun withdrew from the men's weightlifting 62 kg gold medal competition.

　　This was an unexpected result. At the 2015 Houston World Championships before the Rio Olympics, Chen Lijun broke the 62 kg world record and won the championship.

　　Chen Lijun, who played in the Rio Olympics under the aura, was originally regarded as one of the most stable gold spots for the Chinese weightlifting team. No one expected an accident to happen.

　　During the warm-up session before the game, Chen Lijun suffered leg cramps. In the words of coach Yu Jie, his legs were "hard as rocks."

After a simple massage treatment, Chen Lijun felt a little relaxation in his legs, so he tried to snatch 143 kg.

"But as soon as I grab the barbell, my legs harden again. There is nothing I can do." Chen Lijun said helplessly after the game.

　　Facing the camera, the strong lifter's eyes were red, and he choked up and said several "I'm sorry".

　　After regretting to retreat from the Rio stadium, Chen Lijun entered a new round of preparations for the Olympic cycle, but it is obviously more difficult to get back what is about to be obtained than simply to win gold.

　　After returning to the World University Student Weightlifting Championships, winning the National Championships, and winning the National Games, Chen Lijun slowly recovered his spirit.

"To win the Tokyo Olympics is considered proud." One year later, the death of Rio is still in Chen Lijun's mind.

　　In July 2018, the International Weightlifting Federation adjusted the weightlifting project level. The 62 kg class was adjusted to the 67 kg class. After gaining weight, Chen Lijun still performed steadily.

　　At the 2018 World Weightlifting Championships, Chen Lijun successfully won the men's 67 kg world record with 332 kg.

"The next step is to fully prepare for the new level. I hope to realize my dream in Tokyo!" Every time Chen Lijun accepts an interview, it seems that he can't escape the topic of Tokyo's dream.

　　In the men's 67 kg weightlifting World Championships in 2019, Chen Lijun made a further breakthrough and won the championship with 337 kg. He would not have thought that the 187 kg completed in the clean and jerk paved his way to realize his dreams.

　　In 2020, under the epidemic, the Tokyo Olympics was forced to postpone for one year. In October, Chen Lijun suffered a hand injury and required surgery.

"It was a big blow, I never thought I would have surgery in my career." Chen Lijun said.

　　Fortunately, Chen Lijun, who suffered an injury, did not give up.

Five months later, he returned from injury.

At the Tashkent Asian Championships in April, Chen Lijun won the championship with clean and jerk and overall results.

The excellent performance of the Tokyo Olympics "mock test" completely freed Chen Lijun from injury and illness.

　　Standing on the stage of dreams, Chen Lijun failed to snatch the second and third consecutive attempts, which had to make people's thoughts travel back to Rio five years ago.

You know, snatch 145 kg, this result is only tied for fourth place among the 10 players, 6 kg behind Colombian Mosqueira.

　　In the clean and jerk, Mosquela was still strong and succeeded in lifting 180 kilograms, which means that Chen Lijun must desperately lift 187 kilograms in the last two trials to achieve a reversal. This is better than the previous one. Lift a full 12 kilograms.

　　Stepping onto the stage quickly, grabbing the barbell, and struggling to lift, Chen Lijun steadily lifted 187 kg.

This is the weight that Chen Lijun has never lifted in the competition after the 2019 World Championships. With a breath from Rio to Tokyo, he broke the siege from a dead end and created a miracle.

　　"Sometimes I think of the bitterness of this journey, and I feel a little bit crying, but after thinking about winning the championship, it will pass." Chen Lijun, who had just stepped off the podium, said excitedly.

　　But obviously, the taste of waiting for 5 years is not so easy to digest.

When the topic was discussed again in the press conference hall half an hour later, Chen Lijun choked and said: "It is really not easy to walk along the way. Over the years, I have been holding my breath and want to win the championship. This time the opponent is very strong. , But I am stronger!"

　　In 5 years, another night of tears, Chen Lijun’s dream story came to a successful conclusion in a way of ups and downs, which is like the epitome of Chen Lijun’s 5 years of preparations for the Olympics.

(Finish)