Liu Huanhua Dominates 102kg Category Battle in Jiangshan at 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships
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On May 14th in Jiangshan, China, the Men’s 102 kg A-session unfolded into a high-stakes clash between Asia’s top contenders, and Olympic champion LIU Huanhua (CHN) cemented his reign with a spectacular 410 kg total.
The event was held at the modern Hushan Sports Park, home to this year’s Asian Weightlifting Championships, and was one of the most anticipated men’s categories of the tournament.
Olympic Tensions and New Category Strategy
The 102 kg class was more than a battle for continental supremacy — it was also a strategic showdown ahead of the upcoming shift to new weight categories in June 2025. With the Olympic and World Champion LIU Huanhua looking to decide whether to move up to 110 or drop to 94, this meet was an important test.
His main challenger: Kazakhstan’s Artyom ANTROPOV, a world-class clean and jerker with his sights set on overtaking the Chinese favorite.
Meet the Athletes: Top Contenders and Rising Forces
- LIU Huanhua (CHN): 2024 Olympic Champion, world-class snatcher, known for his massive overhead mobility and powerful jerk.
- ANTROPOV Artyom (KAZ): 2023 World Champion in Clean & Jerk, a quiet but dangerous contender known for massive front squat strength.
- HASANBAYEV Davranbek (TKM): Asian record holder in the snatch and always a wildcard in this category.
- AL GHAFEER Ezzeddin (UAE) and ALOTHMAN Ali (KSA): Both strong national champions entering with hopes for total PRs.
- MATYAKUBOV Shahzadbek (TKM) and CHEN Pojen (TPE): Young talents with potential, but inconsistent in top-tier international events.
Snatch Recap: HASANBAYEV Shocks Early with Gold
The snatch session was an explosive display of technique and risk-taking. LIU opened at 171 kg, moved to 180 kg for a clean on a second attempt, and narrowly missed 183 kg on his final attempt. Artyom ANTROPOV managed a best of 165 kg, missing both his first and third lifts at 165 and 170.
But it was Davranbek HASANBAYEV who stole the spotlight. The Turkmen lifter nailed 177 at first attempt and 182 kg at third attempt, second attempt 182 kg was failed, taking gold in snatch, drawing loud approval from the crowd and surprise from the commentary team.
Snatch Medals:
- 🥇 HASANBAYEV Davranbek (TKM) – 182 kg
- 🥈 LIU Huanhua (CHN) – 180 kg
- 🥉 ANTROPOV Artyom (KAZ) – 165 kg
Snatch Full Results Table:
Clean & Jerk Recap: Liu Answers With Authority
In the clean and jerk, Liu Huanhua reminded everyone why he’s the Olympic Champion. Opening with 220 kg, he secured gold with a mighty second insane 230 kg lift. The lift showcased his exceptional core strength and balance. After that he attempted 234 on his third, missing but looking confident throughout.
Antropov successfully lifted 221 kg on his first attempt, but failed his second and third attempts at 233 kg. The Kazakh lifter couldn’t close the gap with Liu but secured silver.
HASANBAYEV hit 195 kg, completing a strong 377 kg total and taking clean & jerk bronze. Notably, he was among the last to lift in the snatch and one of the earliest to start in the clean & jerk, leaving him with little recovery time. Despite visible fatigue, his effort paid off with a place on the podium.
Clean & Jerk Medals:
- 🥇 LIU Huanhua (CHN) – 230 kg
- 🥈 ANTROPOV Artyom (KAZ) – 221 kg
- 🥉 HASANBAYEV Davranbek (TKM) – 195 kg
Clean & Jerk Results Table:
Total Recap: Liu Gold, Antropov Holds Off Hasanbayev
With his 180/230 combination, LIU Huanhua totaled 410 kg for a dominant victory. ANTROPOV followed with 386 kg to take silver, and HASANBAYEV’s 377 kg earned him the bronze.
Total Medals Recap:
- 🥇 LIU Huanhua (CHN) – 410 kg (180/230)
- 🥈 ANTROPOV Artyom (KAZ) – 386 kg (165/221)
- 🥉 HASANBAYEV Davranbek (TKM) – 377 kg (182/195)
Full Total Results:
Records and Highlights
No world or Asian records were broken, but Liu’s 410 kg total reaffirmed his supremacy. His tactical 230 kg lift placed him well above rivals and added pressure to Akbar Djuraev in the upcoming 110 kg class. Dramatic spread in clean & jerk medals: a 35 kg gap from gold to bronze.
The snatch duel between Liu and Hasanbayev brought rare tension. Liu’s missed 183 kg left a narrow gap, showing even champions have moments of vulnerability.
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Author: Hladkova Vladyslava
Media Team Member
Best Results: Snatch – 57 kg,
C&J – 73 kg
I’m Vladyslava, and sport has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Over the past 10 years, I’ve explored it all – from CrossFit and powerlifting to running a half marathon. But my true passion found its home in Olympic weightlifting.
I’m proud to be a Ukrainian Weightlifting Champion (2018) and a prize winner of national championships in 2018–2019. My best lifts? A 57 kg snatch and a 73 kg clean & jerk in the 51 kg weight class. I’m also a Candidate for Master of Sports in weightlifting – and I’m still chasing new goals every day.
Beyond training, I’ve earned two Master’s degrees: one in Sport Management and another in Physical Education. Whether I’m lifting a barbell or helping others grow in sport, I’m all in – because for me, sport isn’t just a hobby, it’s a lifestyle.