New Delhi, Apr 27: Indian weightlifters got off to a disappointing start at the Asian Weightlifting championship at Kanazawa, Japan, with both V Srinavasa Rao and Shaya Devi finishing way down the final standings.

In the men's 56 kg event, Rao lifted a total of 237 kg (135+237) in the 13-lifter field to finish eighth.

Vietnamese Hoang Anh Tuan won the gold medal with a lift of 279 kg (126+153). Silver and bronze were won by Chinese lifters Wu Jinbiao (274) and Cen Biao (273).

Shaya Devi lifted a total of 174 kg (77 in snatch and 97 in clean and jerk) to finish a disappointing ninth in the 12-lifter 53 kg event won by Chinese Cen Lijuan with a lift of 208 kg (91+117).

Thailand's Chaleephay Suda won silver with a total lift of 207 kg (93+114) while Cheremshanova Svetlana of Kazakhstan finished third with 205 kg (90+115).

Laishram Monika and Shristi Singh will compete in 69 kg women's category tomorrow when Kailash Pujari will fight it out in the 62 kg men's section.

The Asian Championship is the last qualification event for the Beijing Olympics.

India failed to seal any berths at the World Championships at Chiang Mai, Thailand, in September last year.