Qiu Le of China won the men's 62kg category by hefting a total of 322kg to claim the gold medal in the World Weightlifting Championships on Thursday in Doha.

The 22-year-old Qiu, gold medalist in the National Games in October, sustained his momentum to clinch his maiden gold medal in the worlds.

His total result levelled the junior world record created by Olympic Champion Shi Zhiyong.

"I lifted a total of 322kg to prove my ability, and let people know it was not the coincidence to lift such a weight," Qiu told Xinhua after the match.

Qiu also lifted 322kg in the National Games, but he was regarded as a lucky guy at the domestic meet in Nanjing, Jiangsu province.

"It was quite encouraging that Qiu could continue to win. He felt tired after the National Games, but he was very determined to win here," Qiu's coach Tang Jinbo said.

"I felt no pressure although it was my first time to compete in the worlds. I just told myself time and again that if I performed my best, I would win for sure," Qiu added.

Though he met challenge from national teammate Zhang Ping, Qiu managed to beat him by hoisting a winning weight of 178kg in the third attempt to grasp the gold.

Zhang, 26, had to settle for the silver medal at 170kg and Adrian Jigau of Romania, silver medalist at European Championships in 2005, took the bronze at 292kg.

"There was something wrong with my back today, and I think I will try my best to beat Qiu Le in the future," Zhang Ping said.

Source: Xinhua