Sa Jaehyouk of Republic of Korea takes a lift during the men's 77kg final of weightlifting at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 13, 2008. Sa claimed the title in this event with a total of 366 kilos.[Yang Lei/Xinhua Photo]

South Korea's Sa Jaehyouk claimed the men's 77kg title with a total of 366kg on Wednesday, beating Chinese veteran Li Hongli with bodyweight advantage.

It's South Korea's first gold in weightlifting at the Beijing Olympics. Chinese weightlifters have won six golds out of the total seven events they took part in until now.

"I can't even believe that I have won the gold. I will train even harder after this success," Sa said.

Li said he tried to lose weight before the Games started, which might have affected his performance.

"I was full of strength at the beginning, but later I could not maintain it," said the home favorite.

Although he had no regrets over the result, the 27-year-old still burst into tears when answering questions in the mixed zone.

It's Li's first, and probably also the last experience at Olympics as the veteran disclosed he may retire after next year's National Games.

"I'm too old to wait for the next Olympics," he said.

Sa, 23, snatched 163kg while Li, 27, hoisted 168kg in snatch session.

The rookie demonstrated a strong power in clean and jerk. After Li finished his third attempt and jerked 198kg, Sa was still waiting for a heavier weight.

He succeeded in first attempt of 201kg, securing the silver, and then jerked 203kg, grabbing the gold.

"The Chinese lifter was very strong but I didn't want to lose," he said.

He later challenged the world jerk record by trying to hoist 211kg in his third attempt, but failed.

Sa was a junior world champion of 69kg category in 2005 and only ranked fifth in 2007 world championships.

The bronze went to Armenian strongman Gevorg Davtyan, 2007 world championships silver medalist, who totaled 360kg. He said he has to be better prepared psychologically to beat the South Korean and Chinese lifters next time.

As predicted, the event was a scuffle among batches of top lifters, including the three medalists and Russian Oleg Perepechenov, bronze medalist in Athens, but none of them has an absolute advantage.

Turkish lifter Taner Sagir, defending champion and 2006 world champion, dropped off the competition after failed three attempts for 165kg in snatch, just like his compatriot Nurcan Taylan, another Athens Olympic gold medalist did in the women's 48kg class.

Sagir said he was injured in the first snatch attempt, which affected his next two attempts.

"I knew I couldn't succeed. For this I am sorry to the Turkish people," he said.

(Xinhua News Agency August 13, 2008)