Previously in China …
Back in 2011 Tian Tao (then 17) competed at the Chinese Intercity Games and Totaled 366kg @ 77kg.
He went 161 + 205.
Current 77kg Youth World Records: 155/182/331
More: His 220kg Clean & Jerk in training.
Best of Olympic Weightlifting
He definitely has become stronger since then. The pull and recovery in the clean looked harder here than they did at the recent Asian Games and World Championships.
Was a bit surprised to see that he power jerked here. When did he start to squat jerk?
This was back in 2011. He has since moved up to 85 and C&J 218 in competition at the 2014 Asian Games to tie the world record, 220 in training, and Sn 170 at 2014 Worlds with a pretty close attempt at 175. Definitely a lot stronger.
I’m not sure when he switched to Squat jerks but I know he has used it since at least 2013 Worlds in Poland.
I believe when Coach YuJie got a hold of him, he made Tao switch to squat jerk. Every coach prior has tried to get him to split or squat jerk but none have succeeded in teaching those to him without him losing kilos. YuJie is without a doubt, the best coach in China, responsible for both Liao Hui and Lu Xiaojun, and taking Tian Tao from a kid who lost direction after injuring his elbow in the 2012 nationals to someone who could match Zhang Yong’s 17 year old clean and jerk record. Let’s see what the Coach can do with Long Qingquan!