30 July 2012, 11:00
Weightlifter Valentin Christov brought Azerbaijan the first medal at the Olympic Games
Valentin Christov (56 kg weight), representative of Azerbaijan at the competitions in weightlifting, successfully made his début at the Olympics in London winning a silver medal.
Christov was considered one of the favourites in his weight class. He first ordered 120 kg in snatch and 150 kg in jerk but then changed his decision ordering 123 kg and easily cleared the weight. Next Christov cleared the weight of 127 kg taking the second place but at the third attempt the Azerbaijani athlete failed in lifting 130 kg.
In jerk Christov changed his order again to 154 kg and cleared the weight. Then it became known that Khalil El-Maoui from Tunisia got a trauma and was leaving the competition. Vu Djingabao from China jerked the bar of 156 kg and became the second. At the second attempt Christov failed in lifting 158 kg but then showed temper jerking the bar of 159 kg weight. As a result, the athlete gained 286 kg overall in snatch and took the second place.
The first place was taken by Om Yun Chol from North Korea who emulated in group B. The Korean athlete gained 293 kg overall in snatch. Vu Djingabao from China remained in the second place: 289 kg (133 kg + 156 kg), azerisport.com reports.
Upon the results of two Olympic days the combined team of Azerbaijan is taking the 23rd place in all-round medal standings by the sum of awards; Russia is in the sixth place with one gold and three bronze medals; Georgia is in the 16th place with one gold medal. These is the data of “R-Sport” agency.
