Glory and Grit in the 53s: Category Recap 2025 IWF World Championships

Context: The New 53s

This category is still finding its identity. Many lifters came down from 55 kg, while others like MIHAELA CAMBEI stepped up from the 49s. The world standards set for this class are 99 kg in the snatch, 126 kg in the clean & jerk, and 223 kg in total – and with several lifters capable of hitting those numbers, fans anticipated record-breaking lifts.

The atmosphere in Førde was electric, helped by the absence of Olympic qualification stress. Athletes appeared freer, coaches experimented with bold strategies, and the crowd lived every attempt as potential history.

Meet the Athletes

• CHEN Guan-Ling (TPE) – Junior World Champion from Chinese Taipei, just 20 years old, already a familiar name in youth and junior circles with record-chasing battles throughout her career.
  
• KHAMBAO Surodchana (THA) – A decorated Thai lifter, known for her consistency and past podiums at World and Asian level, bringing both experience and energy to the 53 kg stage.
  
• OZKAN Cansel (TUR) – Rising talent from Turkey, a strong technician and part of the nation’s next generation of female weightlifters.
  
• CAMBEI Mihaela-Valentina (ROU) – Olympic silver medalist in the 49 kg category, stepping up to 53 kg with her trademark explosive snatch and international pedigree.
  
• DU Meiyuan (CHN) – Making her international debut at just 19 years old, highly regarded in Chinese weightlifting circles as a future star.
  
• MEGO CONTRERAS Shoely Mabel (PER) – Veteran Peruvian lifter, competing internationally since 2014, admired for her perseverance and fighting spirit on the platform.
  
• HIGA Sei (JPN) – Young Japanese competitor with impressive domestic results, now testing herself on the world stage in Førde.

The Snatch 

The Women’s 53 kg session in Førde opened with a steady performance from MEGO CONTRERAS Shoely Mabel (PER), who lifted 80 kg on her opener before securing 83 kg with grit and determination. OZKAN Cansel (TUR) followed with a sharp series, showing confidence at 93 kg.

In the middle of the pack, KHAMBAO Surodchana (THA) showed resilience, opening with 88 kg and then returning to secure 90 kg on her third attempt after a miss on the second. By contrast, HIGA Sei (JPN) endured a difficult session, failing to register a successful lift and leaving the snatch with a zero score.

As the barbell got heavier, the battle for medals took shape. DU Meiyuan (CHN) impressed on her world-level debut, nailing 92 kg on her second attempt before narrowly missing 94 kg. CHEN Guan-Ling (TPE) faced a tough day on the platform, failing all three of her snatch attempts at 89 and 90 kg and leaving the session with a zero score.

The highlight came from CAMBEI Mihaela-Valentina (ROU), who moved up confidently from the lighter category. She opened strong with 90 kg on her first attempt, missed 93 kg on her second, but came back with determination to secure 94 kg on her final lift. That clutch performance earned her the gold medal in the snatch, thrilling the crowd with her trademark speed under the bar.

Snatch Medalists:
🥇 CAMBEI Mihaela (ROU) – 94 kg
🥈 KANG Hyon Gyong – 93 kg
🥉 OZKAN Cansel (TUR) – 93 kg

The Clean & Jerk 

The clean & jerk session brought strategy and emotion to the forefront. MEGO CONTRERAS Shoely Mabel (PER) battled bravely, making 103 kg but unable to stabilize 106 kg on her final attempt. OZKAN Cansel (TUR) showed determination with 104 kg, keeping herself solidly in the mix.

The fight for medals unfolded in the last lifts. CAMBEI Mihaela-Valentina (ROU) thrilled the audience with her trademark composure, going three-for-three in the clean & jerk. She opened at 108 kg, followed with a strong 111 kg, and sealed her series with a smooth 114 kg, each lift greeted by huge applause from the crowd.

KHAMBAO Surodchana (THA) also impressed, pushing through 110 kg to stay in the podium race and matching her reputation as a consistent lifter under pressure.

CHEN Guan-Ling (TPE) sought redemption after a zero in the snatch, coming back strong with good lifts at 110 kg and 113 kg in the clean & jerk. HIGA Sei (JPN) managed 103 kg and 105 kg in the clean & jerk, but with no result in the snatch, she did not register a total.

Clean & Jerk Medalists:
🥇 KANG Hyon Gyong – 121 kg
🥈 CAMBEI Mihaela (ROU) – 114 kg
🥉 CHEN Guan-Ling (TPE) – 113 kg 

Total Results & Podium Recap

The totals told the story of a dominant champion, rising stars, and a resilient veteran:

🥇 KANG Hyun Kyung – 214 kg (93/121)
🥈 CAMBEI Mihaela (ROU) – 208 kg (94/114)
🥉 KHAMBAO Surodchana (THA) – 200 kg (90/110) 

Full Results – Women’s 53 kg

Records & Highlights

Cambei’s Golden Snatch:

Mihaela-Valentina CAMBEI (ROU) was flawless in the snatch, hitting 90 and 94 kg to claim gold, then backed it up with a perfect clean & jerk series of 108, 111, and 114 kg.

Thai Steadiness:

KHAMBAO Surodchana (THA) stayed composed, nailing 88 and 90 kg in the snatch, then powering through 110 kg in the clean & jerk for a strong total.

Taipei Drama:

CHEN Guan-Ling (TPE) bombed out in the snatch but redeemed herself with 110 and 113 kg in the clean & jerk, showing resilience despite no total.

Closing Thoughts

The Women’s 53 kg category in Førde was not just a contest of strength – it was a showcase of transition. Veterans from lighter and heavier classes converged, while prodigious juniors like DU Moyan and CHEN Guan Ling fought toe-to-toe with Olympic medalists.

At the summit stood KANG Hyun Kyung, rewriting the record books and cementing herself as the face of the category moving forward.

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