Paris, Women 49kg: China’s Hou Zhihui denies six-from-six Romanian Cambei in sensational finish

Hou Zhihui ended the first day of weightlifting at Paris 2024 in sensational style to complete a “double double” for China – two champions, both winning gold for a second time. Thailand also took two medals in both sessions.

Like Li Fabin in the men’s 61kg, Hou had won in Tokyo three years ago, where there was no audience because of the Covid pandemic. The atmosphere this time could not have been more different.

Hou Zhihui (CHN)

Mihaela Cambei from Romania was leading the 49kg field by 6kg after she made her final attempt for a career-best six-from-six total of 205kg. Every one of those lifts drew big cheers from the packed auditorium at South Paris Arena because Cambei, 21, is one of the world’s most popular weightlifters.

Although four athletes were yet to finish after Cambei, Hou was the only one with a chance of catching her. She failed with the first of her two remaining attempts on 117kg and was in third place when she came out to finish the session. This time Hou made it, and the crowd of 4,000 roared their appreciation.

Mihaela Cambei (ROU)

There were more cheers when, at the medal ceremony, a delighted Hou jumped straight up to the top of the podium.

“It was a very precious experience this time. I felt really, really motivated compared to the Tokyo Games,” said Hou. “I am just as happy as Tokyo but this time I feel more emotional.”

Hou also admitted to being “quite nervous” because the competition was so close. That led to a mistake on her penultimate lift.

“I made some adjustments and that’s why I was successful. Before my final lift I thought about my family, my team here and my country all backing me up. I was so motivated to make it happen.”

Surodchana Khambao (THA)

Despite being pipped by 1kg, Cambei was upbeat. This was the best performance ever by a European in the lightest women’s weight category. Only one other had ever won a medal, a bronze for Turkey’s Nurcan Taylan in 2004.

“I am very, very happy – vice-champion of the Olympic Games,” said Cambei, who has won two European senior titles.

She has an Instagram following of 417,000, of which12,000 were added soon after the end of the competition. Asked if she thought she could become the most popular female in the sport, Cambei said, “I don’t want to be the most famous – I want to be the best!”

She said the biggest influence in her career has been her coach Valeriu Calancea, a world champion for Romania in 2003.

Hou made 89-117-206 from her three good lifts, setting an Olympic record in clean and jerk. Cambei finished 93-112-205 and third-placed Surodchana Khambao from Thailand 88-112-200.

The two athletes who finished level with Khambao in qualifying, Mirabai Chanu from India and Jourdan Delacruz from the United States, were fourth and fifth. Chanu, who has had injury problems, had a chance to take bronze on her final attempt at 114kg but failed.

Hou’s joy before receiving her gold medal!

Chanu totalled 199kg and Delacruz, who failed to make a total in Tokyo, made three good lifts in her total of 195kg. At the finish she put her head on to the barbell as if in thanks. Asked why, Delacruz said, “I’m not a hundred per cent sure yet, but I do think this may be one of my last competitions.

“It was just a moment to thank the barbell for everything that it’s taught me and for the person I’ve become in the last 10 years. It was just a moment to acknowledge the sport. Aside from what happened on stage, that barbell has taught me a lot.”

“I’m surprisingly not as sad as I thought I’d be. I think that’s just because my family is here, and I’ve had such an amazing Olympic experience so far. This is something I’ll remember forever.”

By Brian Oliver