Men’s 94 kg – 2025 IWF World Championships: Power, Precision, and the Return of Giants

A Stage Set for Legends

Day three in Førde, Norway, was electric before a single barbell left the floor. The 2025 IWF World Championships men’s 94 kg Group A promised a heavyweight duel worthy of history – and it delivered.

Six athletes, three world champions, two Olympic gold medalists, and a handful of lifters capable of rewriting the record books gathered on stage. 

With an atmosphere thick with anticipation, the stage was set for a battle among icons: Bulgaria’s Karlos May Nasar, the sport’s global superstar; Iran’s Alireza Moeini Sedeh and Ali Alipour, both in top form; returning Olympic champion Kianoush Rostami, now representing Kosovo; Egypt’s Karim Abokahla; and Germany’s ever-consistent Raphael Friedrich.

Just beneath them, the B-group had already set the bar high – Colombia’s Jhoan Albornoz Quinto posted an outstanding 390 kg total, a number that would later force the A-group lifters to dig deep.

The 94 kg Category: New Boundaries for the Classic Class

Since the IWF’s 2024 restructuring of men’s divisions, the 94 kg class has become one of the most competitive in modern weightlifting – combining the speed of the middleweights with the raw force of the old 96 kg giants.
The session was also symbolic – featuring the return of Kianoush Rostami, the 2016 Olympic champion, who had been away from the top stage for years, now lifting under a new flag.

But all eyes were on Karlos May Nasar, the Bulgarian phenom and multi-time world champion.

Meet the Athletes

Karlos May Nasar (BUL) – Three-time World Champion, Olympic champion, and arguably the most dominant active male lifter in the world. Known for his explosive snatch and fearless attack in clean & jerk, Nasar’s pursuit of world records defines every session he enters.

Kianoush Rostami (KOS) – Olympic champion, former world record holder (220 kg in the old 85 kg class), and fan favorite. Now representing Kosovo, Rostami’s presence drew cheers throughout the hall. His story is one of resilience and reinvention.

Karim I. Abokahla (EGY) – 2023 world champion in the 96 kg class. After moving down to 94, the Egyptian aimed to replicate his earlier success with trademark consistency and calm under pressure.

Raphael Friedrich (GER) – European Champion at 89 kg, making his debut in this heavier class. The German lifter is known for textbook technique and an analytical approach – the kind of lifter who makes every attempt count.

Alireza Moeini Sedeh (IRI) – One of Iran’s most promising lifters, known for his calm precision and tactical approach. A consistent performer on the international stage, he represents the new generation of Iranian weightlifting.

Ali Alipour (IRI) – The 2025 Asian Champion, a powerful clean & jerk specialist known for his explosive lifting style and confident stage presence. A key contender capable of challenging for the podium.

The Snatch Session

The opener came from Germany’s Raphael Friedrich at 163 kg – a smooth, controlled lift that showcased the precision of German coaching. Egypt’s Karim Abokahla followed with 164 kg, equally stable. But by the second round, the barbell had climbed quickly past 170 kg, and the session began to heat up.

Iran’s Ali Alipour opened at 171 kg, missing 172 kg but securing 176 kg on his third attempt for a strong recovery.
Kianoush Rostami matched him with 172 kg, showing flashes of his old rhythm — though the crowd sensed he wasn’t yet at his 2016 best.
Alireza Moeini Sedeh was the standout early on: 174 kg, 179 kg, and a confident 182 kg — all perfect lifts. His control under the bar earned thunderous applause.

Then came Karlos Nasar, the superstar. Opening heavy at 173 kg, he made the first look routine, then followed with 178 kg — again flawless. On his third attempt at 182 kg, however, the bar slipped slightly forward. The referees gave him no lift, leaving his best snatch at 173 kg, lower than expected but enough to stay in the fight.

Meanwhile, from the B-group, Jhoan Albornoz Quinto (COL) had already posted 175 kg, reminding everyone that medals might be decided on bodyweight and precision.

Snatch Medalists

🥇 Alireza Moeini Sedeh – 182 kg (World Record)
🥈 Ali Alipour – 176 kg
🥉 Karlos May Nasar (BUL) – 173 kg

Clean & Jerk 

The clean & jerk session turned into a dramatic contest of precision and nerve. With totals still close after the snatch, every attempt carried medal implications.

Raphael Friedrich opened with 203 kg but failed all three attempts, ending his competition without a total. Karim I. Abokahla managed the same 203 kg successfully, placing 10th overall after missing his next two attempts..

Kianoush Rostami (KOS) looked in solid form with a successful 205 kg opener, but his next two at 216 kg and 217 kg slipped away, leaving him at 205 kg and out of podium contention.

Ali Alipour made 211 kg on his second attempt after missing 217 kg and 219 kg. His strength was evident, but inconsistency cost him a medal shot.

Alireza Moeini Sedeh displayed the clean & jerk, making 198 kg, 204 kg, and 209 kg to complete five successful lifts out of six attempts overall. His steady performance earned him a 391 kg total and the silver medal.

Then came Karlos May Nasar, the favorite. He opened confidently at 210 kg, then made 219 kg with his trademark explosiveness. For his final lift, 222 kg, Nasar delivered a perfect execution – smooth pull, solid clean, and a lightning-fast jerk – setting a new world record in the clean & jerk. The crowd roared as he locked out overhead, securing the gold with a commanding 395 kg total.

Meanwhile, from the B group, Jhoan Albornoz Quinto continued his phenomenal day, lifting 215 kg to claim second place in the clean & jerk and finish with a 390 kg total, securing the bronze medal overall.

Romain J. Imadouchene impressed in the B group with a strong clean & jerk series – 203 kg, 211 kg, and a close miss at 214 kg. His 211 kg lift earned him third place in the clean & jerk, finishing with a 371 kg total and a top-ten overall ranking.

Clean & Jerk Medalists

🥇 Karlos May Nasar (BUL) – 222 kg (World Record)
🥈 Jhoan Albornoz Quinto (COL) (Group B) – 215 kg
🥉 Romain J. Imadouchene (FRA) (Group B) – 211 kg

Total Results 

Records and Highlights

World records did fall in Førde. Alireza Moeini Sedeh with a 182 kg snatch, setting a new world record. Later, Karlos May Nasar lifted 222 kg in the clean & jerk, claiming another world record and sealing his dominance over the category.

The level of competition was extraordinary – Nasar’s 395 kg total came just shy of his own 96 kg record marks, while Iran’s duo, Moeini Sedeh and Alipour, confirmed that the next generation from Tehran’s powerhouse program is ready to challenge for global supremacy.

From the B group, Jhoan Albornoz Quinto delivered a perfect six-for-six, 390 kg total, a performance celebrated by commentators as “a glimpse of Colombia’s bright future.”

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