Women’s 86 kg Glory at the 2025 IWF World Championships: Solfrid Koanda Triumphs on Home Soil

Championship Context

The 2025 IWF World Championships in Førde, Norway, marked a historic milestone for the sport, celebrating the 120th anniversary of the IWF in one of weightlifting’s most intimate and scenic venues. The Fordehuset Arena transformed into a cathedral of strength – echoing with national pride, roaring spectators, and the rhythmic clang of steel.

For Norway, the event carried special symbolism. Fifty-two years after Leif Jensen’s Olympic gold, the nation once again stood in the global spotlight, led by Solfrid Koanda, Olympic champion and national icon. Her homecoming in the Women’s 86 kg category was more than a contest – it was a celebration of strength and national spirit.

The 86 kg Showdown: The Most Anticipated Session of Førde 2025

When the Women’s 86 kg Group A took to the platform, anticipation reached fever pitch. Every seat in the venue was filled. Even the King of Norway, Harald V, and the Prime Minister were in attendance – a rarity in the sport’s history. The atmosphere was unlike anything seen at a World Championships.

Meet the Athletes

The Women’s 86 kg field in Førde brought together a powerful mix of Olympic champions, Pan-American titlists, and rising stars – a true showcase of global strength.

Solfrid Koanda (NOR) stood at the center of it all – the Olympic and defending World Champion, lifting in front of her home crowd and national royalty. Calm, confident, and technically flawless, Koanda carried the weight of Norway’s expectations.

From the Caribbean, Yudelquis Mejia Peguero (DOM) entered as the reigning 2025 Pan-American champion, bringing her trademark aggression and fearless confidence to the platform – setting the stage for a thrilling battle among the world’s best.

Eileen Cikamatana (AUS), the fiery Australian powerhouse, returned to the World stage with trademark energy and explosive power – a lifter who can turn any attempt into a show.

Japan fielded two lifters: Wakana Nagashima, on a comeback after a difficult 2024 season, and Motoka Nakajima, a cool technician seeking redemption after near misses last year.

Lo Ying-Yuan (TPE) – a former World Champion – brought experience and quiet confidence, while Madias Dodo Ngake (GBR) represented Great Britain’s new generation with bold attempts and explosive movement. Valeria Rivas Mosquera (COL), the Pan-American medalist, rounded out the Group A field with steady form and experience.

In the earlier B group, Rahma Elsayed (EGY) stood out with a confident and technically sharp performance, posting lifts strong enough to challenge several Group A competitors and reaffirm her status as one of the most promising young lifters in the 86 kg category.

The Snatch Session

The snatch session began with Wakana Nagashima opening confidently at 102 kg, followed by solid lifts at 106 kg and 108 kg – a flawless 3-for-3 series that showcased her precision and composure, setting an early technical standard for the group. Her teammate Motoka Nakajima struggled early, missing her first two attempts at 103 kg before rallying to make her third lift. 

As the bar climbed past 110 kg, the tension in the hall intensified. Madias Dodo Ngake found her rhythm on the second attempt, confidently securing 111 kg after an early miss – a lift that brought an energetic roar from the British team. Lo Ying-Yuan followed, locking out 110 kg with her signature stability, though slight timing issues cost her the heavier attempts that followed.

Eileen Cikamatana, known for her fierce intensity, opened with 112 kg but missed her first attempt. Composed and determined, she came back to nail 112 kg on her second try, roaring in celebration, before narrowly missing 115 kg in her final lift.

Then came Yudelquis Mejia Peguero – the only lifter with a realistic shot at pushing Koanda in the snatch. She opened with 115 kg, followed by 119 kg, then powered through 122 kg, matching her Pan-American form. The crowd reacted with a respectful cheer, but everyone knew the spotlight was coming.

All eyes turned to Solfrid Koanda. The Norwegian champion started at 116 kg – a conservative opener by her standards – then hit 120 kg with perfect speed and balance. Her final attempt at 123 kg was close but slipped just behind, leaving her best at 120 kg. It was enough for silver in the snatch, while Mejia Peguero claimed gold.

Rahma Elsayed impressed from the earlier B group with a best lift of 115 kg, a performance strong enough to secure her an unexpected third place in the snatch overall.

Snatch Medalists:

🥇 Yudelquis Mejia Peguero (DOM) – 122 kg
🥈 Solfrid Koanda (NOR) – 120 kg
🥉 Rahma Elsayed (EGY) – 115 kg

The Clean & Jerk

The energy reached a new level as the bar moved into clean & jerk territory. The home crowd stood, waving Norwegian flags as Koanda entered the warm-up room. 

Motoka Nakajima opened steadily at 130 kg, added 133 kg, and missed 138 kg, finishing with a composed and consistent 133 kg. Madias Dodo Ngake battled through early struggles but found her rhythm on the second attempt, successfully lifting 134 kg.

Wakana Nagashima impressed with a strong 132 kg opener and closed with an emotional 138 kg personal best, earning a big cheer from the crowd. Lo Ying-Yuan was precise as ever, successfully lifting 135 kg on her first attempt, showcasing her trademark control and composure from the start.

Valeria Rivas Mosquera struggled in the clean & jerk, calling for 138 kg on all three attempts but failing to secure a good lift. 

Eileen Cikamatana opened confidently with 140 kg, a successful first attempt, but struggled with 146 kg, missing twice as the bar proved just out of reach – still enough to hold onto third place in the clean & jerk.

Then the giants took the stage.

Yudelquis Mejia Peguero was in command early, opening with a strong 145 kg and following with 149 kg, both solid lifts that showcased her trademark power and confidence. She attempted 153 kg for her final lift but couldn’t complete the jerk – finishing with 149 kg, still one of her best international performances and enough for silver in the clean & jerk.

But the arena went silent for Solfrid Koanda. She opened confidently with 146 kg, a smooth and secure lift that ignited the home crowd. Her second attempt at 150 kg slipped in the jerk, drawing a collective gasp from the stands.

With the audience chanting “Sol-frid! Sol-frid!”, she returned for 152 kg – cleaned it powerfully, locked it out overhead, and held steady for a good lift. The arena erupted as Koanda sealed her victory and claimed her second consecutive World Championship title on home soil.

Clean & Jerk Medalists:

🥇 Solfrid Koanda (NOR) – 152 kg
🥈 Yudelquis Mejia Peguero (DOM) – 149 kg
🥉 Eileen Cikamatana (AUS) – 140 kg

Total Results 

Records & Highlights

The Women’s 86 kg session in Førde delivered drama, precision, and powerful performances, even without new world records. Solfrid Koanda 272 kg total set a new Norwegian record and crowned her as the nation’s first home-soil World Champion. Yudelquis Mejia Peguero posted a 149 kg clean & jerk, a Dominican national record and one of the heaviest ever in the category.

Young star Rahma Elsayed (Group B) set new Egyptian and African records with her 250 kg total, confirming her rise among the sport’s next generation.

Though no world records fell, the mix of national marks, personal bests, and fierce rivalries made the Women’s 86 kg class one of the standout sessions of the 2025 IWF World Championships. It was a true celebration of strength and spirit, with Solfrid Koanda shining as the undeniable star – poised, powerful, and unshaken as she claimed victory before an ecstatic home crowd.

About Torokhtiy Weightlifting

Torokhtiy Weightlifting and Torokhtiy Media are your ultimate sources for Olympic weightlifting and strength sports. From elite training programs and technique guides to statistics, calculators, and pro lift analysis – we deliver education and inspiration for lifters of all levels.

Stay tuned for more coverage, behind-the-scenes insights, and highlight analysis from the 2025 IWF World Championships on our Instagram, and YouTube.

And don’t miss our exclusive Championship Sale – the perfect time to level up your training with Torokhtiy programs.

Would you like me to also produce the formatted blog version (headings, emojis, spacing, and layout ready for WordPress or Medium)? It would make the piece ready for direct publication.