With the absence of major rival China's Mu Shuangshuang, South Korean Jang Mi-ran is highly expected to claim the title of the "world's strongest woman" at the Beijing Olympic Games on Saturday.

Jang, 24, has an absolute advantage in the super-heavyweight category as she was ranked first with an entry total of 305kg, 20kg more than Ukrainian Olha Korobka, who was in the second place.

No one will pose a real threat to Jang in the event, which will start at 7 p.m. in the Beijing University Aeronautics and Astronautics gymnasium, as long as she normally performs.

Whether Jang will try to break a world record in the event may be the only mystery before the Games.

At present, three world records in the class are all held by Chinese lifters. Mu keeps the snatch and the total records, while Tang Gonghong holds the clean and jerk.

In Athens, Jang was defeated by Tang, who, in the intense competition, lifted a weight she had only hoisted once during training sessions. After Tang's retirement, Jang began to dominate the category when she won the 2005 world championships.

However, Jang has been facing persistent challenge from another Chinese Mu since 2005. She beat Mu in three consecutive world championships only because of bodyweight advantage, and Mu, world record holder, also triumphed over her once at the Doha Asian Games.

Under a rule that restricts each NOC's competitors to a maximum of four in women's event, China didn't enter for this category.

Jang's compatriot Sa Jae-hyouk won the men's 77kg on Wednesday, claiming the first weightlifting title at the Beijing Olympics for South Korea. It was the second Olympic weightlifting gold for South Korea.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)