Doha, Qatar – The 2024 Qatar International Weightlifting Cup, encompassing the Arab and West Asia Championships, is showcasing impressive athletic feats at the Ezdan Palace Hotel. Competition continues to draw top athletes from across the region and beyond, with several records falling in recent days. The event, running through February 28th, is a key qualifier for upcoming international competitions, including the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Yesterday’s competition saw a new world record set in the men’s 79kg category by North Korean lifter Ri Chong Song. His total lift of 366kg surpassed the previous record by 1kg, securing him gold medals in the snatch, clean & jerk, and total. The championships are providing a platform for athletes to demonstrate their strength and technique in Olympic-style weightlifting.
Record-Breaking Performances in Qatar Weightlifting
Ri Chong Song’s record-breaking performance included a 162kg snatch and a 204kg clean & jerk. This achievement builds on the success of teammate O Kang Ok, who previously established a world record in the women’s 58kg category earlier in the competition. These results highlight the strength of the North Korean weightlifting program.
However, the competition wasn’t solely dominated by North Korean athletes. Tunisia’s Karim Ben Hnia also achieved a strong showing in the men’s 79kg Arab Championship, winning three gold medals with a total of 363kg. Saudi Arabia’s Mohammed Bassam Al Marzouq secured three silver medals in the same category, demonstrating the growing strength of weightlifting in the Gulf region.
Arab and West Asia Championship Highlights
In the men’s Arab Championship, Ben Hnia’s winning lifts included 151kg in the snatch and 185kg in the clean & jerk. Al Marzouq followed with lifts of 150kg and 178kg respectively. Algerian lifter Farajallah Samir and Egypt’s Ali Abdelradi Mohamed rounded out the medal placements with bronze in the snatch and clean & jerk, respectively.
Saudi Arabia has been particularly successful in the youth and junior divisions. Mohammed Bassam Al Marzouq achieved a clean sweep of gold medals in the youth 79kg category. Ali Majed topped the junior men’s standings, while Egypt’s Ali Abdelradi Mohamed secured gold in the junior men’s clean & jerk. This success suggests a strong future for Saudi weightlifting.
The West Asia Championships also saw a dominant performance from Saudi Arabia, led by Al Marzouq’s three gold medals in the men’s 79kg category. Saudi and Bahraini lifters, along with competitors from the UAE, Oman, Yemen, and Syria, shared the remaining medals across various age groups. The competition is fostering regional development in the sport of weightlifting.
Women’s Competition Showcases Rising Talent
In the women’s 63kg Arab Championship, Tunisia’s Shaimaa Rahoumi claimed three gold medals, finishing ahead of Egypt’s Hager Rashdy and the UAE’s May Madani. Rashdy then went on to win triple gold in both the youth and junior categories, indicating her potential for future success. The increasing participation of women in weightlifting is a positive trend.
Meanwhile, at the West Asia Championship, Emirati lifter May Madani topped the women’s 63kg podium with three gold medals. Saudi and Jordanian lifters also secured multiple podium finishes across the age groups, demonstrating the growing strength of women’s weightlifting in the region. The event is also serving as a valuable experience for younger athletes.
The Qatar International Weightlifting Cup is scheduled to conclude on February 28th. Organizers are expected to release final results and rankings shortly thereafter. The performance of athletes at this event will be closely watched as they prepare for upcoming Olympic qualifying events and the Paris 2024 Games, and further development of the sport in the region remains a key focus.
Source. International Weightlifting Federation. Qatar Sports.
