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Asian Weightlifting Championships 2025: Women’s 71 kg Category Battle of Strength and Strategy

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The 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships held in Jiangshan, China, continued to be a showcase of remarkable athleticism and fierce competition. Among the most anticipated events was the Women’s 71 kg category, a field loaded with skilled lifters aiming to secure continental glory. This Olympic weight class drew immense attention from fans and analysts alike, promising a dramatic clash between seasoned veterans and rising stars.

Setting the Stage

The Women’s 71 kg category has always been known for its competitive nature, often producing thrilling contests and unexpected outcomes. The 2025 edition was no different, as it brought together elite athletes from across Asia, including world record holders and newcomers eager to make their mark.

Meet the Athletes

The Women’s 71 kg category at the 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships featured some of the most formidable athletes in the field. The top contenders included:

  • YANG Qiuxia (CHN): A powerhouse in both snatch and clean & jerk, known for her consistent performance and technical precision. She holds multiple national titles and was seen as the favorite coming into the event.
  • SONG Kuk Hyang : A strong contender with a history of dominating the clean & jerk. She came into the competition aiming to challenge the best and prove her status among the top lifters in Asia.
  • MACROHON Kristel (PHI): One of the Philippines’ brightest stars, known for her perseverance and ability to deliver under pressure. She had previously earned medals in regional and international tournaments.
  • Pham Thi Hong Thanh (VIE): A consistent performer with solid technical ability, aiming to secure a top-five finish.
  • Afriza Indah (INA): A promising athlete representing Indonesia, known for her explosive lifting style and strong clean & jerk.

These athletes came prepared for a fierce battle, with each aiming to outperform the rest in this competitive weight class. The standout competitors in this category included YANG Qiuxia from China, a renowned lifter with a strong record in both snatch and clean & jerk.

YANG Qiuxia
YANG Qiuxia atIWF World Championships 2024

Another major contender was SONG Kuk Hyang, known for her powerful clean & jerk performance. MACROHON Kristel from the Philippines also entered the competition as a top contender, having consistently placed in international events.

Snatch Recap

The snatch session was packed with excitement and technical precision. YANG Qiuxia set the early benchmark with a confident 115 kg opener, moving up to a successful 120 and 122 kg lift, matching the Asian and World record. SONG Kuk Hyang responded with 115 kg and then attempted 121 kg equalling the world record, but YANG was better in Snatch on that day.

MACROHON Kristel, battling nerves, managed to secure 105 kg on her third attempt, securing her spot among the leaders.

Snatch Medals:

🥇 YANG Qiuxia (CHN) – 122 kg
🥈 SONG Kuk Hyang – 121 kg
🥉 MACROHON Kristel (PHI) – 105 kg

Snatch Full Results Table:

Rank Athlete Nation Snatch
🥇 YANG Qiuxia CHN 122 kg
🥈 SONG Kuk Hyang   121 kg
🥉 MACROHON Kristel PHI 105 kg
4 Pham Thi Hong Thanh VIE 101 kg
5 NURLYBEKOVA Aray KAZ 101 kg
6 Afriza Indah INA 98 kg
7 AKTAR Mabia BAN 89 kg
8 SIM Rachelle SGP 85 kg

Clean & Jerk Recap:

The clean & jerk session delivered a thrilling showdown between the top lifters. SONG Kuk Hyang demonstrated her prowess with a remarkable 155 kg lift on her second attempt (withdrawn from 3rd attempt), setting a new Asian and World record.

YANG Qiuxia did her best in C&J session, started with successful 135 and 140 kg attempt attempts but failed 145 kg on her final attempt. MACROHON, maintaining her composure, executed a clean 131 kg lift, consolidating her podium position.

Clean & Jerk Medals:

🥇 SONG Kuk Hyang – 155 kg
🥈 YANG Qiuxia (CHN) – 140 kg
🥉 MACROHON Kristel (PHI) – 131 kg

Clean & Jerk Results Table:

Rank Athlete Nation C&J
🥇 SONG Kuk Hyang   155 kg
🥈 YANG Qiuxia CHN 140 kg
🥉 MACROHON Kristel PHI 131 kg
4 Afriza Indah INA 130 kg
5 Pham Thi Hong Thanh VIE 125 kg
6 NURLYBEKOVA Aray KAZ 124 kg
7 AKTAR Mabia BAN 115 kg
8 Sim Rachel SGP 100 kg

Total Recap:

The final totals highlighted the competitive spirit of the session. SONG Kuk Hyang took the gold with a total of 276 kg, followed closely by YANG Qiuxia at 262 kg. MACROHON Kristel earned the bronze with a total of 236 kg.

Total Medals Recap:

🥇 SONG Kuk Hyang – 276 kg
🥈 YANG Qiuxia (CHN) – 262 kg
🥉 MACROHON Kristel (PHI) – 236 kg

Full Total Results:

Rank Athlete Nation Total
🥇 SONG Kuk Hyang   121/155 = 276 kg
🥈 YANG Qiuxia CHN 122/140 = 262 kg
🥉 MACROHON Kristel PHI 105/131 = 236 kg
4 Afriza Indah INA 98/130 = 228 kg
5 Pham Thi Thanh VIE 101/125 = 226 kg
6 NURLYBEKOVA Aray KAZ 101/124 = 225 kg
7 AKTAR Mabia BAN 89/115 = 204 kg
8 Sim Rachel SGP 85/100 = 185 kg

Highlights and Key Moments

One of the most remarkable moments was when SONG Kuk Hyang set a new World Record in Clean & Jerk and Total. YANG Qiuxia’s impressive snatch matched the Asian and World record, showcasing her consistency. 

Closing Thoughts

The Women’s 71 kg competition at the 2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships was a thrilling display of power and strategy. With SONG Kuk Hyang emerging victorious and YANG Qiuxia closely behind, the contest highlighted the depth of talent in the division. Stay tuned for more updates and detailed coverage on Torokhtiy Weightlifting’s blog and social media channels.

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Author: Hladkova Vladyslava
Media Team Member

Oly Lifting Experience: 6 years
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.

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