Doha, Qatar – The 10th Qatar International Weightlifting Cup 2025, concurrently hosting the Arab and West Asian Championships, is underway, showcasing impressive strength and technique from athletes across the region and beyond. Saudi Arabia’s Ali Hussein has emerged as a standout performer, securing a dominant victory in the Arab Junior category of the weightlifting competition. The event, running through December 27, is providing a crucial platform for international athletes to test their mettle and gain valuable experience.
Competition has been fierce across multiple weight classes and age divisions. As of December 23rd, Egypt’s Mohamed Metwally leads the Arab Senior 71kg category, demonstrating consistent performance throughout the snatch, clean & jerk, and total lifts. Qatar’s own Abdullah Ali Diab also made his debut, gaining important experience competing on the international stage.
Saudi Arabia’s Ali Hussein Dominates Junior Weightlifting
Ali Hussein’s performance in the Arab Junior division was particularly noteworthy. According to reports from the event, he successfully claimed gold medals in all three lifts – the snatch, clean & jerk, and the total – establishing him as a rising star in the sport. This clean sweep places him ahead of competitors like Syria’s Ali Dabaoul and Kuwait’s Issa Shaher, who secured silver and bronze medals respectively.
Hussein’s success highlights the growing investment in weightlifting programs within Saudi Arabia, and signals a potential shift in regional power dynamics within the sport. His performance underscores the dedication and skill development benefiting young athletes in the Kingdom.
Other Notable Results
The Arab Senior 71kg category saw fierce competition, with Mohamed Metwally’s gold in the clean and jerk (159kg) and total (288kg) being key to his overall win. He took silver in the snatch, behind Ali Hussein of Saudi Arabia who lifted 130kg. Libya’s Mohamed Ali Shalabi secured a silver medal in the clean and jerk, adding to the diverse range of national representation on the podium.
In the Arab Youth events, Metwally continued Egypt’s strong showing with another gold medal. Both Hussein and Iyad Tantawi also secured medals for Saudi Arabia and Egypt, respectively, indicating considerable depth in talent across the youth divisions. The consistent success of Egyptian athletes illustrates the country’s established tradition in weightlifting training.
Meanwhile, in the Qatar Cup’s men’s 71kg class, Turkmenistan’s Bunyad Rashidov outperformed his rivals to take gold in both the snatch and the total. South Korea’s Lee Sang-eun claimed victory in the clean and jerk, while Thailand’s Tirawat Ratvit and Park Jang-woo of South Korea also achieved podium finishes.
Qatar’s Abdullah Ali Diab, competing in the 73kg category, finished seventh with a total lift of 219kg. Although not a medal-winning performance, his participation marks a significant step in his development as a national athlete, providing valuable exposure to elite-level competition in strength sports. This is part of a broader strategy implemented by the Qatar Weightlifting Federation to foster and improve its athletes.
The ongoing championships are crucial for athletes aiming to qualify for major international events, including the World Weightlifting Championships and, ultimately, the Olympic Games. The level of competition in Doha serves as a strong indicator of the talent pool preparing to compete on these global stages.
As the competition progresses, attention will turn to the heavier weight classes and performances from other participating nations. The final results and overall medal standings will be finalized on December 27th, providing a comprehensive overview of the strength and competitiveness present at the 2025 Qatar International Weightlifting Cup, Arab Championships, and West Asian Championships. Further analysis will be required to determine the long-term impact of these championships on the development of weightlifting across the Arab region and West Asia.
