Doha, Qatar – Qatari weightlifter Sarah Al-Qubaisi made a promising debut at the combined Qatar International Cup, Arab Championship, and West Asian Championship, currently being held at the Ezdan Palace Hotel until December 27. Al-Qubaisi competed in the women’s 77 kg category, lifting a total of 135 kg and signaling a potential rise in Qatari weightlifting. The championships feature over 250 athletes from more than 25 nations.
The multi-event competition, which began December 25th, brings together athletes vying for titles across three separate championships. Qatar is represented by a six-member team including Al-Qubaisi, Fares Ibrahim, Fares Ahmed Jaber, Nader Mohammed Bakr, Abdullah Al-Hashemi, and Ouisal Ikhlef, competing in six different weight classes. The event serves as a key qualifying opportunity for several athletes.
Qatar’s Al-Qubaisi Makes Impact in 77kg Weightlifting Competition
Al-Qubaisi successfully lifted 60 kg in the snatch and 75 kg in the clean and jerk, achieving a combined total of 135 kg. While not a medal-winning performance, it marks a significant step for the emerging athlete in international competition. According to reports from The Peninsula Qatar, this is Al-Qubaisi’s first appearance at this level of competition.
In the same weight class, Kuwait’s Abrar Al-Fahad secured three bronze medals with lifts of 78 kg in the snatch, 98 kg in the clean and jerk, and a total of 176 kg. North Korea’s Kim Kyong-ryong dominated the category, winning all three gold medals with a total of 257 kg. Uzbekistan’s Rustamova Mashkora took home three silver medals.
Strong Performances Across Multiple Categories
The Arab Championship saw Al-Fahad claim all three gold medals, with her compatriot Hanan Al-Amir finishing third overall. Competition has been fierce across all weight categories, with several athletes achieving personal bests. The championships also include youth and junior divisions, providing a platform for developing talent.
Meanwhile, another Qatari athlete, Ouisal Ikhlef, is scheduled to compete in the over 86 kg category today. Ikhlef is coming off a successful performance at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, where she won three gold medals with a total lift of 277 kg. Her participation is highly anticipated by local fans.
The men’s events have also seen intense competition. Qatari athletes Nader Mohammed Bakr and Fares Ahmed Jaber are competing in the 94 kg and over 94 kg categories, respectively, against strong contenders from Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Lebanon. Omani weightlifter Amer Al-Khanjari achieved a notable victory, winning three golds in the men’s 88 kg category. Moroccan junior Zahid Abdelrahim also secured triple gold.
In the women’s 69 kg division, Tunisian Jawhar Jasmi, Egyptian Abeer Mohamed, and Moroccan Shadia Shaashoui each claimed medals in different lifts. Saudi and Syrian athletes have also earned medals in the youth and junior categories, demonstrating the growing strength of weightlifting in the region. The event highlights the increasing participation of women in strength sports.
The championships are scheduled to conclude on December 27th. Organizers will then begin compiling official results and assessing athlete performances for potential qualification towards future international events, including the Olympics. Further analysis of the results will be released in the coming weeks, and it remains to be seen which athletes will secure their places on their respective national teams for upcoming competitions.
Source: The Peninsula Qatar
International Weightlifting Federation
Arab Sports Federation
