In 2018, it was no surprise because China did not compete at Jakarta-Palembang, having been suspended along with eight other nations because of historic Olympic Games doping violations.

This time it was a big shock for China, whose athletes lead eight of the ten ranking lists for Paris 2024.

North Korea had not competed since December 2019 because of Covid-19 restrictions and a suspension imposed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympic Games.

They won gold medals and broke world records on day one in Hangzhou and took their tally to six wins tonight. China has three and cannot win more than five golds.

"Every gold medal is payback for our hardship over four years," said North Korea’s team manager Songnam Jang. 

"We are world leaders now. We wanted to show our strength and we did it."

After an injury on her second snatch attempt put China's Luo Guifang out of the women’s 76 kilograms contest, the way was clear for North Korea to take gold and silver through Song Kukhyang and Jong Chunhui.

Kim Suhyeong from South Korea, who finished third, said, "I have always been an admirer of Rim Jong Sim (the North Korean world record holder and double Olympic champion who is not here) and I’m so happy to meet these two wonderful athletes from PRK and share smiles with them on the platform."

Song, who was disappointed not to have broken Rim’s world record, made 117-150-267 ahead of Jong on 117-149-266. 

Kim, who had a long wait before the jury approved her final attempt, fell to the floor in tears after making 105-138-243.

North Korea would have secured top spot in the earlier men’s event if Ro Kwangryol had made his final attempt in the men’s 96kg.

In his first competition outside North Korea, Ro needed to make a clean and jerk of 221kg to overtake China’s Tian Tao, but he failed and became the ninth of 11 finishers to miss his sixth attempt.

"I thought I could make it but because of error I didn’t do it," Ro said. 

"It was very intense. I didn’t perform to my best."

Several lifters were out of their comfort zone. The 96kg is not an Olympic category, so those who are trying to qualify for Paris at 89kg - which is not on the schedule here - moved up in search of Asian Games medals. 

It led to an error-strewn contest that featured a slew of no-lifts in the final half hour. 

Li Dayin, world record holder at 89kg, failed with his last two attempts and finished fourth.

Li had weighed in more than 6kg under the limit, and the 89kg world champion Mir Mostafa was even lighter at 87.31kg.

"Today was one of my worst days, the bar felt so heavy in my hands," said Mostafa.

"The short period between the World Championships and here (less than four weeks) could be one of the reasons. I couldn’t do anything. It wasn’t my normal body."

Tian Tao also highlighted the problem of preparing for the Asian Games so soon after the World Championships.

"Two competitions in one month is very difficult," he said. 

"We would never usually do that."

Sarat Sumpradit was one of those who did make his final attempt, earning the bronze medal on 176-208-384 in the process.

Tian Tao made 180-210-390 and Ro finished on 170-216-316.