Super-Heavyweight (>81 kg), Women

The final women’s weightlifting event in Paris to be contested was the super-heavyweight class for lifters with a bodyweight of more than 81 kg, down from the 87 kg contested in Tokyo.

A star-studied field competed in Paris, with defending Olympic champion and world record holder Li Wenwen of China being the favorite to win gold again. Great Britian’s Emily Campbell, who won silver in Tokyo, was present in Paris, but the previous bronze medalist Sarah Robles of the USA was not, after Mary Theisen-Lappen qualified ahead of her. The field also featured the World champion Park Hye-Jeong (KOR), the Pan American champion Lisseth Ayoví (ECU), and the South-East Asian Games champion Duangaksorn Chaidee (THA).

Li led the way in the snatch with 136 kg, five kilograms ahead of Park and 10 kilograms ahead of Campbell. The same pattern was repeated in the clean & jerk, with Li continuing to dominate when she lifted 173 kg. This left the result in no doubt, with Li winning her second consecutive Olympic weightlifting gold, with a total of 309 kg. Park finished with 299 kg to win silver, ahead of Campbell, who lifted 288 kg.