Shi Zhiyong of China competes in the men's 73kg competition at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup in Phuket, Thailand, April 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Lin Hao)

The moment the barbell hit the stage marked the conclusion of Olympic weightlifting champion Shi Zhiyong's participation at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Cup here on Thursday, following an unsuccessful lift.

Shortly afterward, Indonesia's 20-year-old Rizki Juniansyah established a new world record in the men's 73kg category at 365kg, surpassing Shi's prior record of 364kg set at the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Shi excelled in the snatch competition, claiming gold with a lift of 165kg and evoking memories of his peak performances, which earned him gold medals in the 69kg category in Rio and the 73kg category in Tokyo. However, his momentum faltered during the clean and jerk portion. Despite a successful first attempt at 191kg, his subsequent attempts at 195kg and 196kg were unsuccessful, resulting in a 5th place finish in the clean and jerk and second overall.

The 30-year-old veteran acknowledged his struggle to recover from an injury.

"Lifting 165kg in the snatch was the best I could achieve, but the clean and jerk was too difficult for me," he said.

"I remember very clearly that I lifted 192kg on March 8 but haven't attempted any weight more than 180kg since then. So starting with a clean and jerk of 191kg was already pushing my limits. After the first attempt, I was almost exhausted already," Shi said.

"I told myself this could be my last attempt at the international competition if I failed. I've done my best, I managed to get up, but my back just couldn't support the weight of the barbell, so I didn't make it," he said.

Shi said he had given his all. "I feel a bit of regret, but our doctors told me that it's a miracle I can still train, and now be able to compete. Although I finished second, I feel like I overcame myself, and that may be the greatest charm of competitive sports."

The IWF World Cup in Phuket is pivotal not just for Olympic qualification for Paris 2024 but also as a critical selection arena for Chinese weightlifters, given the stringent quota allowing only one athlete per weight class and a total of three per gender across all categories for each National Olympic Committee - a reduction from four at Tokyo 2020.

This scenario posits that Shi Zhiyong could miss the opportunity to compete in Paris 2024 if China decides against fielding a contestant in his weight category, despite his status as an Olympic qualifier.

Finishing second in the overall weight might signal the potential close of Shi's quest for Paris, yet he remains undeterred in his aspirations.

"There are still four months left until the Paris Olympic Games, so there should be enough time. I could only lift 340kg in December and today I lifted 356 kg - a 16kg increase in four months," he said.

"I will try my best in training, at least to push my teammates to strive harder. If I persist, they dare not give up."

Shi also admitted that he might not be the best in his category anymore.

"My opponent broke my world record. It's a good thing in competitive sports when we have been constantly chasing and outcompeting each other, which creates a positive atmosphere of competition. Beating my record is beneficial for the progress of our sport. As for myself, I really have tried my best," he noted.

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