Weightlifting star warns of Russian domination

Russia's female weightlifters are capable of winning gold in each of the four Olympic categories they are entering, Beijing silver medalist and five-time European Champion Oksana Slivenko told RIA Novosti on Thursday. The Russian challenge will be among the strongest in London, with three of the four lifters current world champions and world record holders in their categories. "Each girl will be competing for first place," said Slivenko. Of the seven Olympic weight categories, Russia has representation by Tatyana Kashirina in the over 75 kg; Nadezhda Yevstyukhina in under 75 kg; Slivenko in the under 69 kg; and Svetlana Tsarukayeva in the under 63 kg. Russia finished second to China at the November's world championships in Paris thanks to golds from all three except Kashirina, who took silver. The results, Russia’s best since the Soviet fall in 1992, guaranteed a maximum representation of six men and four women at the London Games. Slivenko said that success serves as a warning to Russia's rivals, including China. "That means something, doesn't it?" At the European Cup 2012 in Antalya earlier this month, the Russians were first, winning a total of seven medals: three gold, one silver and three bronze Slivenko, meanwhile, said she was still some way from top form. "Right now I am only 80-90 percent ready for the Olympic Games and still need to add to my fitness."