At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Lu Xiaojun cemented his place as one of the greatest of all time by becoming the oldest gold medallist in Olympic weightlifting history.
From London to Rio: Lu Xiaojun Builds His Olympic Legacy
Lu Xiaojun's Olympic success began in 2012 when he competed in the 77kg class. Already a multiple medal winner in the World Weightlifting Championships, LxJ was the favourite to win at the London 2012 Games. He did not disappoint, lifting a total of 379kg to claim the golden prize.
The 2016 Summer Games were held in Rio de Janeiro, and all eyes were once again on the Chinese champion. Despite snatching a world record 177kg, LxJ was awarded the silver medal after Nijat Rahimov set a world record with 214kg in the clean and jerk. The two lifters achieved the same total, however Rahimov was judged the winner due to having the lesser body weight.
Cue the sporting drama… that was not the end of the story!
After a lengthy process, Rahimov was stripped of his 2016 gold medal in 2022 after being investigated by the World Anti-Doping Agency. This elevated LxJ to first place, making him a dual gold medallist for the Summer Olympics.
A Historic Triumph: Tokyo 2020
Back to 2021, when the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics were underway.
Lu Xiaojun was now 37 years old – a ripe old age in the taxing sport of weightlifting. This time he would be competing in the 81kg category and the question on everyone’s mind was: could the legendary lifter do it again?
Lu Xiaojun's main rivals were Italy's Antonino Pizzolato and Dominican Republic's Zacarias Bonnat. Both weightlifters gave commendable performances, with Pizzolato attempting a world record in the clean & jerk and Bonnat becoming the first-ever weightlifting medallist from his country.
With eight competitors separated by just 5kg in the snatch, Lu Xiaojun managed to lift 170kg, providing him with a cushion that put him beyond reach of many of his rivals.
The clean and jerk segment was equally thrilling. Lu Xiaojun set a new Olympic record by hoisting an incredible 204kg overhead. Despite his rivals' attempts to match his record, Lu Xiaojun's lead remained unassailable.
Lu Xiaojun's final score of 374kg gave him the gold and made him the oldest Olympic gold medallist for the sport. No one could dispute his place in the conversation for being one of the greatest weightlifters of all time.
The Man Behind the LUXIAOJUN Weightlifting Shoes
The story of Lu Xiaojun is one of determination, resilience, and remarkable talent. His incredible journey, culminating in his historic victory at Tokyo 2020, serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide.
As we look forward to the next Olympic Games, Lu Xiaojun's legacy will continue to inspire, reminding us all that with hard work, dedication, and a good pair of weightlifting shoes, the sky's the limit!
References:
https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1111033/weightlifting-lu-xiaojun-china-olympics
https://olympics.com/en/news/people-s-republic-of-china-s-lyu-xiaojun-wins-men-s-81kg-weightlifting