China is poised to dominate the women's 58kg class at the Olympic weightlifting competition on Monday.

The host's hope is rested on defending champion Chen Yanqing, who broke the women's total world record by lifting 111kg in snatch and 137kg in jerk at the 2006 Asian Games.

Chen had a stable performance at over 240kg in recent competitions while no other lifters are able to reach that mark, except for her teammate Qiu Hongmei.

However, Chen is likely to be challenged by Wandee Kameaim from Thailand and Russian Marina Shainova.

Kameaim was the bronze medalist in Athens four years ago. She finished with 236kg in the 2005 world championships.

Shainova was 2007 world championship runnerup and three-time European champion with a best personal record of 237kg.

The other event on Monday is the men's 62kg division, in which Im Yong Su from DPR Korea hopes to move a step up after winning the silver at the 2007 worlds with a total of 315kg.

Defending champion Shi Zhiyong of China has been upgraded to the 69kg class. Filling his giant shoes is Zhang Xiangxiang, 25, who finished third in the 2000 Olympics.

(Xinhua News Agency August 10, 2008)