PARIS, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Belarus veteran weightlifter Nastassia Novikava put an end to China's suffocating stranglehold over women's 53-kg category on Monday when she beat Li Xueying by the minimum of one kilogram to win her first ever world title.

Novikava lifted a staggering 136 kg in her last clean-and-jerk attempt to turn the table, beating Li 237-236 in total to win the gold.

"I got two slivers over the last two world championships, thus I decided to get the best one this time," she said.

"I was very determined, I think that mattered at that moment," the elated lifter added.

This is the first time since 2002 Chinese lifters failed to win the gold in this category at the world championships.

Li, who beat Novikava in the 2009 world championships, finished first in the snatch competition with a lift of 103 kg, two more kilograms than her Belarus opponent.

Then she finished her clean-and-jerk with 133 kg.

Novikava, who lifted 129 kg in her second attempt, needed to raise at least 136 kg to win the title. She pulled off the feat.

"This is my best birthday gift," said Novikava, who will turn 30 in nine days.