Jang Mi-ran targets elusive Asiad gold
South Korean weightlifter Jang Mi-ran wants to add an Asian Games gold medal to her collection before she retires. The 27-year-old has practically won every competition in her illustrious career except the Asian Games. Jang has another chance to win an Asiad
title when she competes in next month's Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
The feat, however, will not be easy for the reigning Olympic champion in the women's over-75kg class, as she has struggled in recent competitions after sustaining injuries in a minor car accident earlier this year.
"I couldn't win my fifth straight championship, but I hope people won't be disappointed. I will be back to put in a good performance at the Asian Games and the world championships," Jang said.
Jang failed to win a fifth-straight world title when she placed third in this year's world championships in Turkey. The event was won by Russian Tatiana Kashirina, who also broke Jang's world record in the snatch.
After winning a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics, Jang captured her first world title in Doha in 2005. She successfully defended her title three times before losing it this year.
Jang also won a gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Asian Games title, however, continued to elude Jang. The South Korean settled for the silver medal at the 2002 Busan Games, finishing runner-up to China's Tang Gonghong. Four years later in Doha, Jang finished second to another Chinese Mu Shuangshuang.
It was a painful setback for Jang, who has beaten Mu in previous world championships.
Jang and the rest of the South Korean weightlifting squad are eager to bounce back in Guangzhou after failing to win a gold medal four years ago in Doha. South Korea won four silver and four bronze medals to rank behind powerhouse China, Kazakhstan, Thailand,
Iran and Syria.
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