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Chinese Weightlifting Documentary (Part 1)

A very interesting documentary on Chen Jingkai, the first Chinese lifter to set a world record and the roots of Chinese Weightlifting. Produced by CCTV10 (China).

The film is in Chinese. Here is a brief description by Dan Hwang (China):

* Chen Jingkai born 1935. As a little boy, he loved to play basketball but was very short. So his teacher suggested he take up weightlifting. He started off with wood and concrete weights. (minute 3:45).

* 1955: China's weightlifter's lagged behind those of USA and USSR. The Chinese lifters couldn't CJ the press weights of the other two countries. Chen Jingkai then added 40 kg to his total in four months.

* 1956: at a China-USSR meet held in Shanghai, Chen CJ's 133@56, exceeding the world record.

* 1957 Moscow: on his third attempt CJ, Chen Jinkai asks for 140, even though 136 would have been enough to break the world record. Makes the lift.

* 1964: after 10 world records, Chen Jingkai retires from lifting to become coach. Under his tutelage, his little brother Chen Manlin sets press world record of 118 (21:50).

* 1966: The little brother Chen Manlin adopts a strategy of weighing less than the his competitor and simply matching his competitor lift-for-lift.

* 1970-1973: Weightlifting in China is completely abolished due to the Cultural Revolution. Chen and his lifters work in a factory.

* 1979: One of Chen Jingkai's lifers, Chen Weiqiang, sets CJ world record 151.5@56. (minute 30:50) He goes on to win gold at the 1984 olympics, lifting I think 125/157.5 @ 56.