Xiaodong Liang (file photo) Hunan Daily, January 24th, (reported by Jingquan Deng), Male National Weightlifting Team coach and Director of the Hunan Weightlifting Sports Management Center, Xiaodong Liang, died from overwork which led to sudden cardiac death while preparing for the London Olympics on the morning of the 23rd. He was martyred in the line of duty at the age of 52. The director of the General Administration of Sport of China, Peng Liu, made a statement on the same day expressing deep condolences. In his instructions to the National Center for Weightlifting, Wrestling and Judo, Peng Liu pointed out, "Comrade Xiaodong Liang sacrificed his life in preparation for the London Olympics. I feel extremely sorrowful. I express my deepest condolences and extend my sympathies to his family. The Center for Weightlifting, Wrestling and Judo and the Hunan Provincial Sports Bureau, along with other relevant parties, should spare no effort in arranging and handling all posthumous affairs." Xiaodong Liang was born in Jiangyong County, Hunan Province. He was the启蒙教练 (starting coach) of our province's world champion weightlifters Mingjuan Wang and Maosheng Le. In November 2008, he was appointed as the Director of the Hunan Weightlifting Sports Management Center. In 2009, Xiaodong Liang led our provincial weightlifting team to win five overall championship titles at the 11th Shandong National Games, making our province the one that won the most gold medals in a single session in the history of the National Games weightlifting events. In 2009, Xiaodong Liang was selected by the Hunan Provincial Government as an "Advanced Worker of Hunan Province"; On November 20th, 2011, he was appointed as the head coach of the third training group of the National Male Weightlifting Team. Since the end of 2011, Xiaodong Liang has been steadfast in his position, continuing to lead his team in training even during the Spring Festival. Weightlifting is a traditional advantageous project in our province's competitive sports. Our provincial weightlifting team has trained many Olympic and world champions such as Xia Yang, Maosheng Le, Mingjuan Wang, Lian Yang, Qingquan Long, and Ping Li. Currently, our province has a total of nine athletes training with the National Weightlifting Team, many of whom have the potential to win gold medals at the London Olympics. Share to: Comments are welcome. I want to comment. Weibo recommendation | Today's Weibo hot topics