WEIGHTLIFTING: Australian weightlifter Joshua Wu has broken two national records and won bronze in a remarkable performance in the Men’s 62kg at the 2013 Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF) in Sydney.

Wu lifted an impressive 110kg for the ‘Clean and Jerk’ and finished with a total of 188kg, achieving a personal best (PB) and breaking both previous national records.

“I did really well and I’m happy with that,” Wu said.

“It felt great to be standing on the podium alongside a Chinese weightlifter.”

China’s strong start to the weightlifting competition continued as Meilong Chen claimed gold, with a total of 285kg. In second place was Oceania’s Elson Edward Brechtefeld who won silver, with a total of 238kg.

“The Chinese lifter [Chen] is so strong. His technique is flawless,” Wu said.

Most of the attention was on Wu as he attempted to the records and his coach Miles Wydall couldn’t be any happier.

“I can’t ask anymore of Josh, he really has the heart of a lion,” Wydall said.

“This has been quite emotional for me.”

Wydall said Wu’s consistency was key.

“His consistency was incredible and that’s what made him too tough to compete with.”

Wydall also coaches Wu’s best friend and fellow Australian weightlifter James Norman, who finished fourth with a PB of a 174kg total.

“It was a good contest and that’s all you could ask for,” Norman said.

Damon Kelly, athlete ambassador for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival (AYOF), said it was a gutsy attempt from Wu and Norman.

“They’re [Wu and Norman] training partners so it was good to watch them battle it out,” Kelly said.

“Josh really pushed himself. He deserves the records.”

Olympic medals run in the Wu family, as Joshua is the younger brother of Olympic diver and Beijing 2008 silver medallist Melissa Wu.

“Now I know how Melissa feels winning an Olympic medal. This is great,” Wu said.

Mohamed Taha
Olympics.com.au

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