2025 Asian Weightlifting Championships: Recap of Women’s 76 kg and 81 kg Categories

Held on May 13 in Jiangshan, China, the Women’s 76 kg and 81 kg categories delivered performances as polished as they were powerful. This back-to-back block of action was one of the most complete displays of elite female lifting seen in the entire championship.

While China continued to assert its dominance, emerging lifters from Central Asia made sure they weren’t just filling lanes — they were threatening podiums.

With both categories competing simultaneously on a single platform, the session had a uniquely dynamic energy, offering fans the rare thrill of witnessing inter-category clashes unfold in real time.

Mid-Heavyweights in the Spotlight

As the championships approached their climax, these middle-heavyweight divisions brought together a seasoned field of athletes with Olympic pedigree, rising junior stars, and strategic rivalries. China’s continued push to assert continental and global supremacy met with credible resistance, particularly from Taiwan (TPE), Uzbekistan (UZB), and Korea (KOR).

Both sessions were contested at the top level, and in the case of Women’s 76 kg, multiple records fell — including a new total record for the category.

Women’s 76 kg – Liao Guifang’s Record-Smashing Domination

LIAO Guifang (CHN) came in as the undisputed favorite in the 76 kg class, and she didn’t disappoint. Her 125 kg snatch became the new World and Asian record. She followed up with a massive 154 kg clean & jerk, securing an unbeatable 279 kg total — another World and Asian record.

Behind her, the real drama played out between CHEN Wen-Huei (TPE) and KIM Suhyeon (KOR) for the remaining podium spots. Chen out-snatched Kim with 109 kg to 100 kg, while Kim responded in clean & jerk with a slightly heavier 134 kg. Chen’s consistency in both lifts secured silver overall, while Kim took bronze with grace and grit.

Snatch Recap – Women’s 76 kg

The Women’s 76 kg session opened with a slow burn that erupted into a fireworks finale. Early lifts were conservative, but the anticipation built as the spotlight shifted to the three heavy favorites: LIAO Guifang, CHEN Wen-Huei, and KIM Suhyeon.

Kyrgyzstan’s Tatiana Melnichenko impressed early with a smooth 100 kg lift, matching Korea’s Kim Suhyeon, who showed unshakable technique on her opener. But all eyes were on China’s LIAO Guifang — and for good reason. She opened with 120 kg, then jumped to a colossal 122 kg for her second attempt.

The 125 kg lift was textbook Liao: lightning off the floor, sharp transition, flawless lockout. That lift not only secured gold but also set a new World and Asian record in the snatch. 

CHEN Wen-Huei fought hard to stay in medal contention. Chen Wen-Huei successfully completed all three snatch attempts: 100 kg in the first, 105 kg in the second, and 109 kg in the third. With KIM hitting 100 kg, the podium was set — China, Taiwan, and Korea in that order.

Snatch Medals: 

• 🥇 LIAO Guifang (CHN) – 125 kg (New World Record)
• 🥈 CHEN Wen-Huei (TPE) – 109 kg
• 🥉 KIM Suhyeon (KOR) – 100 kg

Snatch Full Results Table:

Clean & Jerk Recap:

Coming off her record-setting snatch performance, LIAO Guifang (CHN) looked completely unfazed as she paced the warm-up area. The audience, still buzzing from her 125 kg snatch, now waited for the second act.

Before Liao took the stage, it was KIM Suhyeon (KOR) and CHEN Wen-Huei (TPE) battling it out. Kim opened with 130 kg and made it look like a warm-up. She failed to lift 134 kg in her second attempt, but succeeded in her third, which allowed her to overtake Chen in the total ranking.

Chen managed to lift 133 kg only in her third attempt, which earned her third place in the clean and jerk with a deep split and solid overhead control.

Then, it was time for Liao Guifang. She opened at 140 kg — already higher than any of her rivals — and it flew up. 154 kg followed on her second attempt, again with no drama. Her third was declined. With a 279 kg total, Liao not only swept the golds but also set a new World and Asian Record in Total.

Clean & Jerk Medals:

• 🥇 LIAO Guifang (CHN) – 154 kg
• 🥈 KIM Suhyeon (KOR) – 134 kg
• 🥉 CHEN Wen-Huei (TPE) – 133 kg

Clean & Jerk Results Table:

Total Recap:

LIAO Guifang (CHN) swept gold with authority, finishing with a 279 kg total (125/154), setting new World and Asian records in both snatch and total. Her performance was untouchable — clean, calculated, and complete.

The real fight came for silver. CHEN Wen-Huei (TPE) edged out KIM Suhyeon (KOR) with 242 kg vs. 234 kg, thanks to steadier snatching. Kim tried to claw back in the clean & jerk, but Chen held firm.

Records Broken:

• World and Asian Snatch Record – 125 kg by LIAO Guifang
• World and Asian Total Record – 279 kg by LIAO Guifang

Total Medals Recap:

• 🥇 LIAO Guifang (CHN) – 279 kg (125 / 154) – New Asian Record Total
• 🥈 CHEN Wen-Huei (TPE) – 242 kg (109 / 133)
• 🥉 KIM Suhyeon (KOR) – 234 kg (100 / 134)

Full Total Results:

Women’s 81 kg – Wu Yan Controls the Podium

WU Yan (CHN) executed a masterclass in both lifts to sweep the golds in the 81 kg division. Her snatch of 116 kg was technically smooth and psychologically commanding. But it was in the clean & jerk that she truly closed the door on her competition, finishing with a strong 147 kg, for a total of 263 kg.

Korea’s KIM Iseul was next-best in both lifts and earned a comfortable silver with a 235 kg total. Uzbekistan showed great promise with two athletes in the mix — ADASHBAEVA Rigina and FAYZULLAEVA Madina. Though both delivered solid liftsand settled for third and fourth overall.

Snatch Recap – Women’s 81 kg

In the Women’s 81 kg session, it was another dominant display from WU Yan of China, who was lifting in front of a home crowd that knew exactly how strong she was.

The session started with modest attempts from Kazakhstan’s Novikova (83 kg) and Uzbekistan’s Fayzullaeva (95 kg), who showed solid potential but left kilos on the platform. Then came the top three contenders.

ADASHBAEVA Rigina from Uzbekistan put up a strong fight, making 104 kg and setting the early standard. Moments later, KIM Iseul of Korea stormed the platform, matching her personal best at 105 kg with a fail on last 110 kg attempt.

But the queen of the session, WU Yan, waited patiently. She walked out calm and controlled, lifting 116 kg with what can only be described as quiet power. However he also failed her third attempt.

Snatch Medals:

• 🥇 WU Yan (CHN) – 116 kg
• 🥈 KIM Iseul (KOR) – 105 kg
• 🥉 ADASHBAEVA Rigina (UZB) – 104 kg

Snatch Full Results Table:

Clean & Jerk Recap:

The 81 kg session had a same tone. 

Uzbekistan’s two lifters, Fayzullaeva and Adashbaeva, took over the early battle for Bronze. Adashbaeva lifted 120 kg cleanly, maintaining her bronze position in Total. Fayzullaeva edged slightly ahead with a powerful 121 kg that secured fourth in Total but Bronze in Clean and Jerk.

KIM Iseul (KOR) came in next with 125 kg. She hit it comfortably, then followed with 130 kg on her second — sharp split, great recovery, good lift. She tried to lift 135 kg, but unfortunately KIM failed this attempt..

Then came WU Yan (CHN). Already in the lead from snatch, she looked focused. Her opener at 136 kg was routine. She went to 142 kg for her second, and it was a masterpiece — deep clean, fast jerk, solid overhead. The third attempt at 147 kg was also successful. Her 263 kg total sealed the deal.

Clean & Jerk Medals:

• 🥇 WU Yan (CHN) – 147 kg
• 🥈 KIM Iseul (KOR) – 130 kg
• 🥉 FAYZULLAEVA Madina (UZB) – 121 kg

Clean & Jerk Results Table:

Total Recap:

WU Yan (CHN) delivered a polished performance, going 116/147 for 263 kg, easily claiming gold. 

KIM Iseul (KOR) secured silver with 235 kg, lifting smart and steady. ADASHBAEVA Rigina (UZB) earned bronze at 224 kg, holding off her teammate FAYZULLAEVA Madina by 8 kilos.

Total Medals Recap:

• 🥇 WU Yan (CHN) – 263 kg (116 / 147)
• 🥈 KIM Iseul (KOR) – 235 kg (105 / 130)
• 🥉 ADASHBAEVA Rigina (UZB) – 224 kg (104 / 120)

Full Total Results:

Session Highlight:

Despite being only 18, FAYZULLAEVA showed massive clean & jerk potential and is expected to contend for medals in future championships as she improves her snatch technique.

Takeaways from the Session

• LIAO Guifang confirmed her status as the strongest woman in Asia at 76 kg, delivering lifts that wouldn’t look out of place at a World Championship final.
• WU Yan continues China’s dominance in the 81 kg class with poise and power.
• TPE and UZB showcased rising talents that are clearly being developed for 2028 and beyond.
• KAZ and KGZ had credible performances, especially among their junior lifters, foreshadowing the region’s increasing depth.

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