Shi, victor at the world championships in 2015, snatched 162kg and jerked 190kg for the gold.
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The younger Shi, who is often confused for the elder lifter, despite being 13 years his junior, said Shi, 36, had warned him not to let the name down.
Shi, the 22-year-old world champion, did just enough to push Ismayilov into second place, where he earned Turkey the first medal of these Games. “I would like to dedicate this medal to my team and coaches who give me confidence, love, courage and support”, Shi said. “That encouraged me to do my best and never give up”, Shi added.
Deng Wei and Shi Zhiyong won their events hours after one of the top female lifters, Lin Tzu-Chi of Taiwan, was forced to withdraw from the competition because of an abnormal doping test.
Shi lifted 162kg in the snatch and 190 in the clean and jerk for a total of 352, but failed on a world record attempt with his last lift, which would have meant a total of 360. I am not happy with the result.
“Today I fulfilled their expectations and that’s why I cried today”.
China’s three golds puts them ahead of Thailand’s two golds, a silver and a bronze in the weightlifting charts.
Shi held off the challenge of Ismayilov, who had finished 13th at the London Games four years ago when competing for his native Turkmenistan.
“I had sympathy for the fighting on the streets”. “It really motivated me more”.
“I got hurt a little bit and I feel hurt when I nod my head”, she said.
The silver medal went to Kazakhstan’s Zhazira Zhapparkul with a 259 total, while Egypt’s Sara Ahmed won bronze with 255 kilos, becoming the first woman from an Arab country to win an Olympic weightlifting medal.
He snatched 151 kg and jerked 188, finishing 12kg behind Ismayilov.
Zhapparkul said the uncertainty hadn’t affected her preparation. “I am proud to wear it, and this medal is great news for everyone in Kyrgyzstan”.
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Bronze medallist Artykov, whose strength has improved enormously over the years, wore a kalpak hat, part of Kyrgyz national costume, to the post-event news conference.
