Maiya Maneza has claimed Kazakhstan's second weightlifting gold medal in London, setting an Olympic record in the women's 63-kilogram category along the way. Russia’s Svetlana Tsarukaeva had to settle for silver.
The reigning world champion in the discipline, Tsarukaeva was leading by two kilograms after snatch. Maneza was second, but rose to first place by taking 135 kilograms in her first clean and jerked for a total weight of 245 kilograms – the new Olympic record.The Russian only managed to respond with 125 kilos, and twice failed her attempts two reach the Kazakh.As she later explained, she was performing with a serious arm injury, which didn’t let her repeat last year’s result of 255 kilograms in total. Given the circumstances, Vladikavkaz-born Tsarukaeva remained satisfied with the result.Canada's Christine Girard took bronze with 236 kg in total.