Weightlifting world champ's namesake wins in same class 10 years later

It is probably the most miraculous coincidence in weightlifting history when a "new" Shi Zhiyong lifted the 69kg world title 10 years after the man with the same name won in the same category.

The 22-year-old Shi won the clean and jerk in 190kg as well as the overall title in 348kg at the world championships in Houston, United States on Monday.

He followed the footsteps the older Shi, who clinched the same title in 2005 world championships and is now 35.

When the youngster from Zhejiang province first appeared in the national games in 2009, his name caused such confusion that many reporters thought Shi Zhiyong, who retired after winning the 62kg at Athens Olympic Games, made a comeback.

"I once met with him and Shi told me he expected me to achieve more," said the younger Shi.

Although having the same name, Shi admitted there was much room for him to improve compared with his predecessor from Fujian province.

"This is my first world championships and I was really nervous," he said.

"I really need to improve on my clean and jerk although the result was enough to win the title. I must work hard for next year's Olympics," he added.

As for his name, not very common in China, which means wisdom and courage, the weightlifter told the International Weightlifting Federation's official website that he was renamed when he was young.

"I was young when my coach gave me the name and I did not know about the 2004 Olympics," he was quoted on Monday. Endi