Doha, Qatar – Qatari weightlifter Ouissal Ikhlef dominated the competition at the combined weightlifting championships held at the Ezdan Palace Hotel, securing an impressive nine gold medals across three separate events. The championships, which include the 10th Qatar International Weightlifting Cup 2025, the Arab Championships, and the West Asian Championships, showcased talent from across the region and beyond. Ikhlef’s performance highlights Qatar’s growing strength in the sport of weightlifting.
The six-day event drew athletes from numerous countries, including Thailand, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and Algeria, fostering a competitive environment. The Qatar Weightlifting Federation organized the championships, aiming to promote the sport and provide a platform for regional athletes to excel. Competition took place across various weight classes and age groups, encompassing youth, junior, and senior levels.
Ouissal Ikhlef’s Golden Performance at the Qatar International Weightlifting Cup
Ikhlef’s success came in the over 86kg category, where she consistently outperformed her rivals. She achieved a total lift of 277kg, comprised of 116kg in the snatch and 161kg in the clean and jerk. This clean and jerk lift notably surpassed her previous personal best of 160kg, demonstrating significant progress in her training.
In the Qatar International Cup standings, Thailand’s Supachanen Khamheng followed with three silver medals, totaling 257kg. South Korea’s Lee Hyun secured three bronze medals with a 226kg total. The competition was fierce, with athletes pushing their limits to achieve top rankings.
Arab and West Asian Championship Victories
Ikhlef continued her winning streak in both the Arab and West Asian Championships, claiming all three gold medals in each. In the Arab Championships, she finished ahead of Algeria’s Amina Mamoun Yahya, who took three silver medals with a 231kg total. Egypt’s Shams Mohamed Ahmed earned three bronze medals with a 229kg total.
The West Asian Championships saw Ikhlef face limited challenge, allowing her to focus on refining her technique and achieving her personal best in the clean and jerk. Her dominance across all three championships underscores her current form and potential for future success in international weightlifting competitions.
Other Notable Results from the Championships
Beyond Ikhlef’s remarkable achievements, the championships featured strong performances from other athletes. An Uzbek lifter dominated the men’s 94kg category at the Qatar International Cup, achieving a total lift of 360kg. Lifters from Turkmenistan, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia also claimed podium positions in this event.
Turkmenistan’s Anamjan Rustamova secured three gold medals in the women’s 86kg class. Algeria’s Fares Touiri led the men’s 88kg field in the Arab Championships, while Egypt’s Mostafa Mahmoud Abdelhay impressed in both the senior and youth categories. These results demonstrate the growing depth of talent in the sport across the region.
The junior and youth events also saw numerous impressive lifts, with athletes from Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar earning multiple titles. The championships provided a valuable opportunity for these emerging athletes to gain experience and showcase their skills on an international stage. The event also served as a qualifying opportunity for some athletes aiming for larger international events, such as the Asian Games and the World Championships.
The championships concluded with a sense of accomplishment for all participants and organizers. The Qatar Weightlifting Federation is expected to review the results and assess the overall success of the event in promoting the sport and fostering regional cooperation. Future events will likely build upon this foundation, aiming to attract even more participants and elevate the standard of competition. Further analysis of athlete performance data will be conducted to identify areas for improvement in training programs and support services.
Looking ahead, the focus will shift to preparing athletes for upcoming international competitions. The specific timeline for these events and the selection criteria for team participation remain to be announced, but the performances in Doha will undoubtedly play a significant role in shaping future teams. The continued development of weightlifting infrastructure and coaching programs in Qatar and the wider region will be crucial for sustaining this momentum.
