Ri Suk helped North Korea maintain their winning streak in Bahrain on the fifth day of competition. Photo courtesy of the IWF
SPORTS

Asian lifters shine at World Weightlifting Championships in Bahrain

TDT

Asian athletes are making history at the 2024 World Weightlifting Championships in Bahrain, clinching all titles so far, with North Korea leading the pack. With the competition wrapping up on 15 December, North Korean lifters have dominated, claiming eight golds and breaking seven senior world records.

Historic Wins for North Korea

Ri Chong Song secured a thrilling victory in the men’s 81kg category, lifting a total of 371kg. His female teammate, Ri Suk, dazzled in the women’s 64kg division, shattering four world records within minutes.

Meanwhile, Rim Un Sim earned silver in the same category, narrowly missing new records but showcasing North Korea's depth. China's Li Shuang completed the podium with bronze.

Regional Dominance

Asian athletes are leading across all events, with notable performances by Kazakhstan’s Alexey Churkin and Uzbekistan’s Mukhammadkodir Toshtemirov, who both medaled in the men’s 81kg. Indonesia’s Rahmat Erwin also showcased his prowess, despite a tough year marked by injury.

Upcoming Showdowns

With several categories remaining, including the highly anticipated 89kg event featuring Bulgaria’s Karlos Nasar, the championship promises more exciting battles. Nasar, fresh from Olympic gold, aims to claim his first world title while continuing his record-breaking streak.

The continued dominance of Asian lifters highlights their growing influence in the sport, setting new standards for excellence and determination.

(Source: Inside the Games)