Well Podobedova cut today Cao Lei's three-year winning streak. The Kazakh won with flying colours lifting 130+150 and made attempts at 157 to better world record which she shares with the Chinese.
Lei was left 22 kg behind which was a bit disappointment. Although she was already struggling in Chinese championships with 248 total, so at least the reigning olympic winner is going to right direction. I don't know is her preparation still midway but she did a lot better previous year.
I don't quite know what is going on on Russian weightlifting federation, but several athletes have moved to Kazakhstan because they have felt that they've been mistreated. Svetlana missed her chances to participate the Beijing olympics due to Russian federetion resistance; there were some illegibilities in her citizenship.
But they do something right in there, since there are FOUR Russians or ex-Russians who are capable of winning gold. It seems that this division is going to be one of the toughest this year. Can't wait to see the world champs.
Not much to see in this thread...it was obvious from the start but wanted to give it a shot anyway. I'm a bit surpices since the only available source was sport sites from Kazakhstan and even those didn't have much to say. Complete results, stats no no

Lets put some old photos of Svetlana and Cao so this thead won't be completely useless




Hmm no real pictures about Svetlana.