Tian Tao, power lifter
2023-04-06 20:04:59
By Chen Si, Yichang International Communication Studio
Tian Tao started lifting weights at the age of 10. By the time he was 13 he was a member of the Hubei Provincial Weightlifting Training Team.
That was only the beginning for the gifted athlete born on April 8, 1994 in Changyang Tujia Autonomous County, Yichang City, Hubei Province.
Tian Tao started lifting weights at the age of 10. By the time he was 13 he was a member of the Hubei Provincial Weightlifting Training Team.
That was only the beginning for the gifted athlete born on April 8, 1994 in Changyang Tujia Autonomous County, Yichang City, Hubei Province.
Tian Tao at the 2014 Asian Championships
In October 2011, aged 17, he rose to national prominence when he won the 77kg category at the 7th National Intercity Games.
In 2013, he moved up to the 85kg category and won a bronze medal at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. He went on to claim the gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, breaking the record for the jerk as well as the overall Asian Games record.
The performances kept coming. In 2015, Tian Tao lifted 178kg to win the snatch at the World Weightlifting Championships and in August 2016, he scooped the silver medal at the Rio Olympics.
In April 2017, he won three gold medals at the Chinese Men's Weightlifting Championships. In 2019, at the Weightlifting World Championships in Thailand, he finished second in the 96kg category.
In 2013, he moved up to the 85kg category and won a bronze medal at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. He went on to claim the gold medal at the 2014 Incheon Asian Games, breaking the record for the jerk as well as the overall Asian Games record.
The performances kept coming. In 2015, Tian Tao lifted 178kg to win the snatch at the World Weightlifting Championships and in August 2016, he scooped the silver medal at the Rio Olympics.
In April 2017, he won three gold medals at the Chinese Men's Weightlifting Championships. In 2019, at the Weightlifting World Championships in Thailand, he finished second in the 96kg category.
Tian Tao at the 14th National Games of China in 2021Tian is now training for the 19th Asian Games, which will be held in September 2023, and also has his sights set on the Paris Olympics in July 2024.
