Antonino Pizzolato

Antonino Pizzolato was born on August 20th, 1996, and he’s an Italian weightlifter, Olympian, and three-time European Champion. He first competed in the 85 kg category until 2018, and then in the 81 kg and 89 kg categories after the International Weightlifting Federation reorganized the weight classes. He’s made a significant impact in the sport. Pizzolato competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in the men’s 81 kg event and won a bronze medal. His career is marked by resilience and being able to keep his performance consistent. He’s very dedicated to weightlifting and his record-setting performance has made him stand out in the community. 

In 2019, he competed at the European Weightlifting Championships in the 81 kg category and won the gold medal in the clean and jerk and the total. Later that year, he participated in the World Weightlifting Championships and finished in sixth place with a 358 kg total in the 81 kg category. This performance showed his true potential on the world stage.

He continued being successful in 2021, when he won the gold medal at the European Championships in the 81 kg category with a total lift of 370 kg, including a 164 kg snatch and a 206 kg clean and jerk. He also earned the bronze medal in the men’s 81 kg category at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (which were held in 2021) with a total of 364 kg, consisting of a 165 kg snatch and a 200 kg clean and jerk. 

The following year, he won the gold medal in the men’s 89 kg snatch and clean and jerk events at the 2022 Mediterranean Games held in Oran, Algeria. His winning streak continued at the 2022 European Championships in the same weight category, where he achieved a total lift of 392 kg and set a new benchmark in his career. His performance at the 2022 European Weightlifting Championships was especially impressive because he set world records in the clean and jerk and total. 

2023 was another strong year for Pizzolato. He competed at the IWF Grand Prix II and the European Championships and was consistently placed in the top ranks. Although he didn’t get a medal at the World Championships, his overall performance has made it clear that he’s one of the top weightlifters in his category. 

He’s known for his disciplined lifestyle and dedication to training. He’s faced several injuries throughout his career, but he’s always managed to bounce back. In his free time, he enjoys racing, even though his schedule leaves little time for hobbies. Pizzolato and Karlos Nasar often engage in light-hearted social media exchanges, and they’re known for their friendly rivalry.