Viet Nam wins gold medal at IWF World Cup

The only gold went to world champion Lai Gia Thanh in the snatch event of the men's 55kg category.

Thanh was successful in two attempts, lifting 118kg and 120kg. He tried to added 2kg in the third one but failed.

However 120kg was heavy enough to bring him gold medal.

Chomchuen Nathawat of Thailand came second with 119kg and Pang Un Chol of North Korea was third with 118kg.

Nguyen Huy Hung, an official of the Sports Authority of Viet Nam, said Thanh was a strong candidate in snatch. He made his mission completed following suitable tactic of the coaching board.

He managed to beat Nathawat and Pang, who also placed behind him in the world weightlifting championship last year.

The clean and jerk event was tougher.

The Vietnamese athlete could lift 143kg in the second attempt. He was successful with a 148kg in the third and earned bronze.

Pang placed first with 152kg while Nathawat was third with 150kg.

In the total, Thanh secured his second bronze with a combined weight of 268kg.

Pang and Nathawat were at the first and second position with 270kg and 269kg, respectively.

Earlier, Khong My Phuong bagged silver the snatch of the women's 45kg with a 76kg result.

In the clean and jerk, she lifted 84kg for a bronze. In total, with a 160kg, Phượng added another bronze.

Won Hyon Sim of North Korea impressed all judges and audience with three golds 87kg in snatch, 109kg in clean and jerk and total of 193kg. All were new world records.

Siriwimon Pramongkhol of the host took bronze in the snatch with 75kg, and two silvers in the clean and jerk with 101kg and total with 176kg.

The Vietnamese delegation take part in the March 31-April 11 World Cup with nine competitors.

They are expected to bring home at least one Olympic spot./.