New chapter set to open for weightlifting as World Championships kick off in Anaheim

ANAHEIM, United States, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- The 2017 International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships will usher in a new chapter as emerging names are set to challenge the established order at the elite weightlifting tournament held in Anaheim, California.

Nearly 400 athletes from about 70 countries and regions, including six reigning Olympic champions, will be competing through Dec. 5 at the competition.

The Olympic champions from last year's Games in Rio include Lasha Talakhadze (Georgia), Sohrab Moradi (Iran), Sopita Tanasan (Thailand), Hsu Shu-ching (Chinese Taipei), Sukanya Srisurat (Thailand) and Kianoush Rostami (Iran).

Georgian Talakhadze, who is also defending his 2015 world title in the +105kg competition, will face stiff competition from Behdad Salimi, who is seeking to recover from a disappointing Olympic showing just over a year ago.

Salimi, representing Iran, claimed golds at the 2010 and 2011 IWF World Championships and also topped the podium at the London 2012 Olympics before falling short of his great superheavyweight rival in Rio in an epic contest in the snatch.

Salimi has previously held the world record in the snatch on two occasions - before being surpassed earlier this year by Talakhadze, who lifted 217kg at the European Championships in April.

Salimi's best clean and jerk in international competition is 255kg, but a recent 260kg lift in training suggests that another enthralling battle with Talakhadze who was filmed recently snatching 220kg is on the cards in Anaheim. Besides, Brazil's Fernando Reis and Estonia's Mart Seim are also set to challenge.

Salimi's compatriot Sohrab Moradi will also be going for gold in the 94kg category.

In the women's competitions, the 53kg category is shaping up to be an intriguing contest.

Hsu Shu-ching of Chinese Taipei is defending her world title and consecutive Olympic golds. However, Sopita Tanasan is moving up to 53kg having won gold for Thailand in Rio in the 48kg category and will put up fierce competition.

Also competing for Thailand will be 22-year-old Sukanya Srisurat, who will be seeking to stay on top in the 58kg competition following her Olympic gold in the same category last year.

Meanwhile Spain's Lidia Valentin, who has picked up medals at three consecutive Olympic Games - including a gold at London 2012 - will be looking to follow up her third European Championships gold earlier this year with a first world title in the 75kg competition.

Hosts the United States look to make their mark on the men's medal standings for the first time in 20 years competing in the Championships.

The home nation's best chance of success is in the 69kg category with teenager Clarence "CJ" Cummings, who has won four world titles at youth and junior level.

Olympic bronze medalist Sarah Robles (women's +90kg), Mattie Rogers (women's 69kg) and Harrison Maurus (men's 77kg) are also among the favorites who could help the U.S end a 12-year World Championships medal drought in front of a hometown crowd.

"This is going to be a weightlifting meet unlike any other," USA Weightlifting CEO and World Championships organizing committee member Phil Andrews said. "We're ready to compete and we're ready to welcome the world to Anaheim."

The last US woman to medal at the world championships was Cheryl Haworth, who won a bronze medal in 2005, and the last to do it for the men was Wes Barnett, who won a bronze medal in 1997. Enditem