China is sending its largest ever Olympic delegation to compete in the 26 sporting events being held at the Rio 2016 Olympics, with a total of 416 athletes – 10 of whom will be competing in weightlifting. China is a traditional powerhouse when it comes to weightlifting competitions at Olympic level, with the athletes having already set several Olympic and world records. At the Sydney 2000 Games, the women's team swept all four events it entered –the first year that Chinese women were permitted to compete.
Chinese weightlifter Chen Lijun, who competes in the 62 kg weightclass, exercises with weights during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty Images
China's weightlifting contingent features just four women and six men, the maximum quota determined by the combined team standing (by points) at the past two World Championships. This means winning a spot on China's Olympic weightlifting squad can be a more competitive test than the Olympics itself. They usually train six days a week at the national sports training centre in Beijing.
Getty Images photographer Kevin Frayer documents China's weightlifters at China's Training Center of General Administration of Sports, in preparation for Rio de Janeiro.
Chinese female weightlifter Deng Wei, who competes in the 63 kg weightclass, lifts during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesA female member of China's national weightlifting team tapes her hands before lifting during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese weightlifter Chen Lijun, who competes in the 62 kg weightclass, lifts during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese female weightlifter Kang Yue stretches during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese weightlifter Chen Lijun, who competes in the 62 kg weightclass, lifts during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese weightlifter Long Qingquan, who competes in the 56 kg weigthclass, lifts during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesA trainer assists Chinese weightlifter Yang Zhe, who competes in the 105 kg weightclass, as he uses resistance bands during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese weightlifter Lu Xiaojun, who competes in the 77 kg weightclass, reacts as he is massaged after a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese weightlifter Chen Lijun, who competes in the 62 kg weightclass, lifts during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese weightlifter Yang Zhe, who competes in the 105 kg weightclass, uses resistance bands during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese female weightlifter Xiang Yanmei, who competes in the 69 kg weightclass, rests with a weight on her stomach as she checks her phone during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesThe weiglifting belt of a Chinese female weightlifter with the words 'China Power' is seen on a bench during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese weightlifter Chen Lijun, who competes in the 62 kg weightclass, prepares to lift during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese weightlifter Chen Lijun, who competes in the 62 kg weightclass, warm up during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesChinese weightlifter Yang Zhe, who competes in the 105 kg weightclass, uses resistance bands during a training sessionKevin Frayer/ Getty ImagesThe Chinese flag is seen next to weights during a training session in preparation for the Rio Olympics at the Training Center of General Administration of Sports in ChinaKevin Frayer/ Getty Images
