Chen Jingkai, a Dongguan-born athlete, lifts to break the then men's weightlifting world record of 133kg in a friendly competition on June 7, 1956. It was the first time a Chinese athlete broke the world record. Xinhua
Dongguan-born weightlifter Chen Jingkai, who was the first Chinese athlete ever to break a world record, passed on December 6 afternoon at the age of 75.
Chen, who was born in 1935 in Dongguan, a city in South China's Guangdong province, started training in 1954.
On June 7th, 1956, in the weightlifting competition held in celebration of China-Soviet Union political ties in Shanghai, Chen lifted 133 kg in the men's 56 kg category breaking the then world record held by American weightlifter Vinci and became the first Chinese ever to hold a world record.
In 1957, he broke the world record again at an International Youth Friendly in Moscow, lifting 139.5kg. It was the first time he set the world record on the international stage.
Following that, he broke the world record a further 10 times during his career.
Chen was named president of the Chinese Weightlifting Association in 1979 and, the following year, was named deputy director of the Guangzhou Sports Bureau.
In May 1987, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded Chen a silver medallion for his outstanding achievements in the sports of weightlifting.
Honors
June 7th, 1956, Chen broke the then world record held by American weightlifter Vinci and became the first Chinese ever to hold a world record.
In 1957, Chen broke the world record again at an International Youth Friendly in Moscow, lifting 139.5kg.
In 1958, Chen broke the world record in the men's 56 kg category by lifting 140.5 kg.
In 1959, Chen broke the world record in the men's 60 kg category by lifting 148 kg.
In 1961, Chen broke the world record again in the men's 60 kg category by lifting 148.5 kg.
In 1963, Chen broke the world record again in the men's 60 kg category by lifting 151 kg.
In 1964, Chen broke the world record again in the men's 60 kg category by lifting 151.5 kg.
In 1987, In May 1987, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded Chen a silver medallion for his outstanding achievements in the sports of weightlifting.
In 2009, He was named one of the most influential sports figures of China.
