BEIJING (AP) -Cao Lei won China's seventh weightlifting gold medal on Friday and smashed three Olympic records in the process.

As expected, the double world champion dominated the women's 75-kilogram division, heaving 128 kg (282.2 pounds) in the snatch and 154 kg (339.5 pounds) in the clean and jerk.

She set new Olympic records in both events as well as with her total score of 282 kg (621.7 pounds).

Alla Vazhenina of Kazakhstan won a close duel for the silver medal with Russian lifter Nadezda Evstyukhina.

Cao's win capped China's gold rush in women's weightlifting. Chinese women entered four of the seven weight categories - the maximum allowed - and won all four.

The Olympic host has also won three gold medals in the men's competition.

"Actions speak louder than words,'' Cao said about the Chinese dominance of the sport. "We have proved our strength.''

Cao remained cool and expressionless during the competition, but was overcome by emotion after her final lift. She choked up again during the news conference.

"This very gold medal is dedicated to the people of my motherland,'' she said, holding up the shiny prize.

Her eyes welling up and her voice cracking, she added: "It is also dedicated to my dear mother who passed away not a long time ago.''

All other lifters had already performed their three snatches when Cao entered the competition at 120 kg (264.6 pounds). Cheered on by the home crowd, she lifted it without difficulty.

Her next snatch at 125 kg (275.58 pounds) tied the Olympic record. Her third, at 128 kg (282.2 pounds), set a new one.

Cao bowed politely, unstrapped her belt and walked off the stage, showing no sign of emotion.

She remained in a class of her own in the clean and jerk, and even attempted a world record in her final lift, loading the bar to 159 kg (350.5 pounds). But that was too much even for Cao, and she abandoned the try almost immediately.

Vazhenina and Evstyukhina were neck-and-neck throughout the competition, outdoing each other lift by lift.

Competitors must choose their own weights for each of their six lifts, three in snatch and three in clean and jerk. In the snatch the bar is pulled over the head from the floor in one continuous motion, while the clean and jerk is a two-step lift in which the bar is first raised to shoulder level, then pushed overhead.

The Russian put the pressure on Vazhenina with a 147 kg (324.1 pound) clean and jerk in her final attempt, erupting in tears as the judges approved the lift.

Vazhenina, who had a 1 kg (2.2 pound) advantage from the snatch, responded by loading up the same weight. Boosted by the roar of the crowd, she pushed the bar up high and locked her arms, shaking from the effort.

"I didn't think I could win silver,'' Vazhenina admitted afterward. "I was pretty nervous today but I was lucky.''

Both she and Evstyukhina praised Cao, admitting they didn't stand a chance against the Chinese strongwoman.

"I was sure that I didn't have a real chance to compete with (Cao), and that's what happened,'' the Russian said. "But I'm very anxious to beat her next time, and I'm sure I'll do it in the future.''