IWF World Cup, Paris 2024 Qualification Event, Phuket: Top Athletes’ Review & Predictions
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Thailand has been honored to host the 2024 World Cup the Paris 2024 Qualification tournament by the International Weightlifting Federation to host the 2024 IWF World Cup,t from 31 March – 11 April 2024 in Phuket.
According to the Qualification Rules for the 2024 Games in Paris, this is the last event in the qualification pathway for the Olympics. It’s also one of the two mandatory competitions for athletes who aim to take part in the Games, along with the 2023 World Championship in Riyadh.
The additional events weightlifters can occupy their slots to Paris are:
Read the full report about each day of the Weightlifting at 2024 Olympics prepared by our media team. Don’t miss the opportunity to stay updated and follow this great event in the Olympic weightlifting world with us from the very beginning till the end!
- 2022 World Championships (held last December in Bogota;
- five 2023 continental championships (the Pan-American, European, Asian, African, and Oceania events);
- two 2023 IWF Grand Prix – the initial one in La Havana and the second one in Doha;
- 2024 continental championships, Asian and European ones are also a possible opportunity to get a quota for the Olympics.
According to the Qualification demands: of the 12 athletes in each of the 10 weight divisions, five for men and five for women, 10 will earn their spots from a ranking qualifying list.
Additionally, there are 120 quotas in Paris 2024. The top 10 in each weight category will earn a ticket to Paris, along with 20 athletes coming from the host country and 10 continental representations where a continental federation may be given a place for its highest-placed athlete outside the top 10.
It’s estimated that more than 1500 people, including weightlifters, coaches, and staff members will attend this tournament in Phuket.
Preliminary Women’s Entry List:
Women’s Up To 45 Kg
Bektas Cansu (TUR) / Entry Total – 166 Kg
She’s a three-time European champion and European Youth and Juniors record holder. At the European Championship in Yerevan, she took three golds in Snatch, Clean & Jerk, and total, by beating European records for Juniors with 72 kg in Snatch, 90 kg in Clean & Jerk, and 162 kg in total. At the Worlds in Riyadh, she secured total bronze.
Expectations: It’s possible that she would take a medal in the category.
Country: Turkey
Age: 20 y.o.
Instagram: @cansubektas
Medal Record:
European Championship:
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan
World Championship:
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
World Junior Championship:
• Gold – 2023, Guadalajara
Best Results: 72-90-162 (European Junior Record), 2023 European Championship, Yerevan
Personal best: Snatch – 75 kg, C&J – 90 kg, Total – 162 kg
RAMOS AMIS Rose Jean (PHI) / Entry total – 170 kg
is a Filipina weightlifter who is a silver medalist at the 2023 Asian Championships in Jinju, a two-time gold medalist at the Youth World Championships in 2021 and 2022, as well as winning gold and silver at the Asian Junior Championships in 2023 and 2022 respectively.
Expectations: considering her entry total and previous successful performances, it’s likely she would take some winning spot in the category.
Country: the Philippines
Age: 18 y.o.
Medal Record:
Asian Championships:
• Silver – 2023, Jinju
Youth World Championships:
• Gold – 2023, Jeddah
• Gold – 2022, Leon
Asian Junior Championships:
• Gold – 2023, Delhi
• Silver – 2022, Tashkent
Best Results: 70-87-157, 2023 Asian Junior Championships, Dehli
Personal best: Snatch – 73 kg, C&J – 88 kg, Total – 161 kg
KHONG My Phuong (VIE) / Entry total – 170 kg
is a Vietnamese weightlifter competing at the 2015 World Youth Championships and taking a silver medal with a total of 146 kg. In 2016 she won the Asian Youth Championships with 148 kg in total.
At the 2019 World Cup, she finished second by lifting 157 kg in the sum of two exercises. In 2020 she became a silver medalist at the World Cup in Rome.
Expectations: Winning gold at the Youth World Champs just being 15 speaks for itself – she can definitely clinch a good place in the category considering her prior achievements
Country: Vietnam
Age: 24 y.o.
Instagram: @myphuongg_khong
Medal Record:
World Youth Championships:
• Silver – 2015, Cali
Asian Youth Championships:
• Gold – 2016, Saigon
World Cup:
• Silver – 2019, Pattaya
World Cup:
• Silver – 2020, Rome
Best Results: 78-93-171
Personal best: Snatch – 78 kg, C&J – 93 kg, Total – 171 kg
PRAMONGHKHOL Siriwimon (THA) / Entry total – 175 kg
a Thai weightlifter competing at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the Women’s 48 kg, finishing in 4th place. She won the silver medal at the 2022 World Championships in Bogota and became a gold medalist at the 2023 World Champs in Riyadh.
Expectations: There are high chances that she will enter the Top 5 of the weight category.
Country: Thailand
Age: 29 y.o.
Instagram: @mysiriwimon
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Silver – 2022, Bogota
World Championship:
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2023, Jinju
Junior World Championships:
• Silver – 2012, Antigua Guatemala
Best Results: 82-109-191, Summer Olympics, London 2012
Personal best: Snatch – 82 kg, C&J – 109 kg, Total – 191 kg
Women’s Up To 49 Kg
JIANG Huihua (CHN) / Entry total – 210 kg
is a Chinese weightlifter who is a four-time gold and silver medalist at the World Championships, a Champion of the 2023 Asian Championships, and a silver medalist at the 2021 National Games of China.
Expectations: This powerful petite Chinese lifter has all chances to win the gold medal in the category, considering her previous mind-blowing lifts.
Country: China
Age: 26 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
• Gold – 2019, Pattaya
• Gold – 2015, Houston
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2023, Jinju
National Games of China:
• Silver – 2019, Shaanxi
Best Results: 95-120-215, World Championships, Riyadh 2023
Personal best: Snatch – 92 kg (YWR), C&J – 113 kg, Total – 205 kg (YWR)
HOU Zhihui (CNH) / Entry total – 210 kg
is a Chinese weightlifter, Olympic champion, World champion, and two-time Asian champion who set eleven senior world records throughout her career for 2021.
Expectations: Alike her compatriot Jiang Huihua, she’s also a highly competitive athlete, with great chances to share Top spots with her teammate in the category.
Country: China
Age: 26 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Gold – 2018, Ashgabat
• Silver – 2019, Pattaya
• Bronze – 2022, Bogota
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2019, Ningbo
• Gold – 2020, Tashkent
National Games of China:
• Gold – 2021, Shaanxi
Best Results: 96-117-213, Asian Championships, Tashkent 2020
Personal best: Snatch – 96 kg, C&J – 117 kg, Total – 213 kg
DELACRUZ Jourdan (USA) / Entry total – 200 Kg
She is a bronze medalist at the World Championship and a four-time medalist, including three gold medals, at the Pan Ams. In 2021 she represented the United States at the Olympics in Tokyo. At the World Championship in Riyadh, she took bronze in and then won the gold medal at the Pan Am Championship in Bariloche, Argentina.
Expectations: We place high expectations on Jourdan’s leading positions in the weight class and her success in getting bronze.
Country: USA
Age: 25 y.o.
Instagram: @jourdannn_14
Medal Record:
World Cup:
• Gold – 2020, Rome
Pan American Championships:
• Gold – 2019, 2020, 2023 (Guatemala City, Santo Domingo, Bariloche)
• Silver – 2022, Bogota
World Championship:
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
Best Results: 91-116-207, 2019, Pan American Championship, Guatemala City
Personal best: Snatch – 75 kg, C&J – 90 kg, Total – 162 kg
IMPERIO Giulia (ITA) / Entry total – 195 Kg
is a promising weightlifter who distinguishes herself from other female athletes due to her petite stature and attractive appearance. Due to her power and vitality, she’s already shown good accomplishments. She’s a two-time gold medalist of the Mediterranean Games, gold medalist of the European Championship in Tirana, and the European silver medalist in Yerevan.
However, her two last performances at the Worlds in Riyadh and Grand Prix II in Qatar were weak compared to her prior results. She ranked 11th in total in Saudi Arabia, finished 6th in the Snatch session and even didn’t get into the Top 10 in Clean & Jerk.
Expectations: Her last performances were not the best in her career, i.e., at the Worlds in Saudi Arabia and Grand Prix II in Qatar. So, we hope she’ll manage to get to the top 10 this time.
Country: Italy
Age: 22 y.o.
Instagram: @giuliaimperioo
Medal Record:
European Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Tirana
• Silver – 2023, Yerevan
Mediterranean Games:
• Gold – 2022, Oran
Best Results: 85-98-183, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 85 kg, C&J – 101 kg, Total – 183 kg
CAMBEI Mihaela Valentina (ROU) / Entry total – 200 Kg
Is a three-time gold medalist at the European Youth Championship who won the gold medal at the 2023 European Championship in Yerevan and bronze at the same-level competition in 2021.
What about her performances at the World Championship, she didn’t succeed in winning a medal in total. However, she managed to secure medals in the single exercises. At the Worlds in Bogota, she took silver in Snatch but finished fourth in totals. In Riyadh, Cambei clinched bronze in Snatch as well and became fifth overall.
Expectations: Cambei Michaela will likely get to the top 5 in her weight class.
Country: Romania
Age: 21 y.o.
Instagram: @cmv.valentina18
Medal Record:
European Championships:
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan
• Bronze – 2021, Moscow
Junior World Championship:
• Silver – 2021, Tashkent
European Youth Championship:
• Gold – 2017 Pristina,
• 2018 San Donato Milanese
• 2019 Eilat
Best Results: 92-106-198, 2023 European Championship, Yerevan
Personal best: Snatch – 92 kg, C&J – 106 kg, Total – 198 kg
Women’s Up To 55 Kg
BORREGO PALACIOS Irene Esmeralda (MEX) / Entry total – 205 kg
a Mexican weightlifter who won the bronze medal at the 2023 World Weightlifting Championships in Riyadh. She also took silver at the 2021 Junior Pan American Games in Cali-Valle.
Expectations: We suppose that Irene Borrego will enter the Top 5 in the 55-kg weight category.
Country: Mexico
Age: 22 y.o.
Instagram: @irene.borrego
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
Junior Pan American Games:
• Silver – 2021, Cali-Valle
Best Results: 89-110-199, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 89 kg, C&J – 110 kg, Total – 199 kg
Women’s Up To 59 Kg
LUO Shifang (CHN) / Entry total – 240 kg
LUO Shifang is a Chinese weightlifter, a gold medalist at the 2023 World Championships.
Expectations: being one of the strongest Chinese lifters, Luo Shifang can get the prevailing position in the category.
Country: China
Age: 23 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
Best Results: 108-139-247, 2023 Grand Prix II, Qatar
Personal best: Snatch – 108 kg, C&J – 139 kg, Total – 247 kg
ALVAREZ CAICEDO Yenny Fernanda (COL) / Entry total – 235 kg
a Colombian weightlifter won the gold medal at the 2022 World Weightlifting Championships in Bogota. In 2021 she won the silver medal at the World Championships in Tashkent. She’s a three-time gold medalist at the Pan American Championships and a two-time gold medalist at the Bolivian Games.
Expectations: Considering the prior accomplishments of Yenny Alvarez, this athlete can get into the Top 5 in the 59-kg weight category, or even secure the bronze medal.
Country: Colombia
Age: 28 y.o.
Instagram: @yenny.alvarez95
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
• Silver – 2021, Tashkent
Pan American Games:
• Gold – 2023, Santiago
Pan American Championships:
• Gold – 2016, Cartagena
• Gold – 2021, Guayaquil
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
Best Results: 102-133-234, 2022 World Championships, Bogota
Personal best: Snatch – 102 kg, C&J – 133 kg, Total – 234 kg
PEI Xinyi (CHN) / Entry total – 235 kg
a Chinese weightlifter World Champion who set 5 youth world records in the 64 kg category at the 2022 World Championships in Bogota. At the 2023 Asian Championships in Jinju, she set 4 junior world records in the 59 kg category. She won bronze at the 2023 World Championships in Riyadh.
Expectations: Alike her teammate Luo Shifang, Pei Xinyi has big chances to occupy the winning position at least in the Top 5.
Country: China
Age: 18 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
Asian Championships:
• Silver – 2023, Jinju
Best Results: 103-133-236, 2023 Asian Championships, Jinju
Personal best: Snatch – 105 kg, C&J – 133 kg, Total – 236 kg
KONOTOP Kamila (UKR) / Entry Total – 230 Kg
won the silver medal at the 2023 World Championship in Riyadh. She is a three-time medalist, including two gold medals at the European Championship.
Expectations: We suppose that Kamila Konotop will take another decent spot in her category by showing competitive results.
Country: Ukraine
Age: 22 y.o.
Instagram: @__konotop__
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh, 2023
European Championships:
• Gold – 2021, Moscow
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan
• Silver – 2022, Tirana
Junior World Championships
• Gold – 2021, Tashkent
Qatar Cup:
• Silver – 2019, Doha
IWF World Cup:
• Silver – 2020, Rome
Best Results: 106-130-236, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 106 kg, C&J – 130 kg, Total – 236 kg
STERCKX Nina (BEL) / Entry Total – 220 Kg
She is a three-time medalist at the European Championships who took 5th place at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. In Yerevan, she showed impressive results by clinching silver in all exercises. At the Worlds in Riyadh, she ranked ninth by showing one of the best results, but it wasn’t enough to move up higher in the list.
Expectations: Assessing her prior successful performances, Sterckx can gain some fruitful results at this Championship.
Country: Belgium
Age: 21 y.o.
Instagram: @nina.sterckx
Medal Record:
European Championships:
• Silver – 2023, Yerevan
• Bronze – 2021, Moscow
• Bronze – 2022, Tirana
Junior World Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Heraklion
• Silver – 2021, Tashkent
European Junior & U23 Championships:
• Gold – 2019, Bucharest
• Gold – 2022, Durrës
Best Results: 99-121-220, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 99 kg, C&J – 121 kg, Total – 220 kg
Women’s Up To 64 Kg
SAMULIAK Svitlana (UKR) / Entry Total – 225 Kg
Is a bronze medalist at the World Championship in Tashkent; and a silver medalist at the Europeans in Yerevan, but failed to take a top spot at the Worlds in Riyadh.
Expectations: At least, she would be enlisted in the top 6 athletes in her weight class, or, in the good case, she would get a leading position.
Country: Ukraine
Age: 20 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Bronze – 2021, Tashkent
European Championship:
• Silver – 2023, Yerevan
Junior World Championships:
• Gold – 2023, Guadalajara
• Silver – 2022, Heraklion
Best Results: 91-110-201, 2021 World Championship, Tashkent
Personal best: Snatch – 93 kg, C&J – 110 kg, Total – 201 kg
AYODELE Ruth Imoleayo (NGR) / Entry total – 215 kg
Expectations: It’s likely that she can get closer tothe top positions in the category, although with quite low chances to get to the Top 3.
Country: Nigeria
Age: 23 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh
Grand Prix II:
• Bronze – 2023, Doha
Best Results: 100-122-222, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 100 kg, C&J – 122 kg, Total – 222 kg
Women’s Up To 71 Kg
REEVES Olivia (USA) / Entry Total – 253 Kg
the bronze medalist at the 2023 World Championship in Riyadh; and gold medalist at the Pan Am Games in Santiago in the 81-kg weight class. At the Pan American Championship in Bariloche, Reeves became third in the weight division.
At the Grand Prix II in Doha set three new Junior world records: 115 kg in Snatch, 147 kg in Clean & Jerk, and 262 kg in total.
Expectations: Taking into account her previous performance at the Grand Prix II, Reeves can get the leading position and probably set another record in the weight class.
Country: USA
Age: 20 y.o.
Instagram: @oliviareeves.71
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
Pan American Games:
• Gold – 2023, Santiago
Pan American Championship:
• Bronze – 2023, Bariloche
Junior World Championships:
• Gold – 2021, Tashkent,
• Silver – 2022, Heraklion
Best Results: 114-144-258, 2023 Pan American Games, Santiago
Personal best: Snatch – 114 kg, C&J – 144 kg, Total – 258 kg
LIAO Guifang (CHN) / Entry total – 260 kg
a Chinese weightlifter, a world record holder who won the gold medal in the 71 kg division at the World Championships in Riyadh. She ranked fourth at the 2022 World Championships, also winning the 2023 Asian Championships and setting two world records in the process.
Expectations: Being a powerful contender in the 71-kg weight category, Liao Guifang can reigh the division by occupying the leading position and surpassing her European rivals.
Country: China
Age: 22 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championships
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
Asian Championships
• Gold – 2023, Jinju
Junior World Championships
• Gold – 2019, Suva
National Games of China
• Silver – 2021, Shaanxi
Best Results: 120-153-273, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 120 kg, C&J – 153 kg, Total – 273 kg
PALACIOS DAJOMES Angie Paola (ECU) / Entry total – 260 kg
an Ecuadorian weightlifter and two time Youth World Champion competing in the 69 kg category until 2018. She is the younger sister of three time Junior World Champion Neisi Dajomes. Palacios represented Ecuador at the 2020 Summer Olympics.
She won the gold medal at the 2022 Pan American Championships in Bogota. Dajomes also won the gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Championships in Bariloche. In the same year, she won the silver medal at the World Championships in Riyadh.
Expectations: Palacios Dajomes is believed being one of the strongest Latino American female weightlifter, so she has great chances to defeat her opponents under the condition of being at the perfect physical and mental form.
Country: Ecuador
Age: 23 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh
• Bronze – 2022, Bogota
Pan American Games:
• Gold – 2023, Santiago
• Bronze – 2019, Lima
Pan American Championships:
• Gold – 2024, Caracas
• Gold – 2023, Bariloche
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
Best Results: 116-136-252, 2022 World Championship, Bogota
Personal best: Snatch – 105 kg, C&J – 123 kg, Total – 228 kg
TOMA Loredana Elena (ROU) / Entry Total – 240 Kg
A two-time gold and two-time bronze World Champion and five-time European Champion.
Expectations: She’s believed to be one of the most competitive lifters in the category who can get a medal.
Country: Romania
Age: 28 y.o.
Instagram: @tomaloredanaelena
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Bronze – 2019, Pattaya
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
European Championships:
• Silver – 2013, Tirana
• Gold – 2019, Batumi
• Gold – 2021, Moscow
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan
Best Results: 119-137-256, 2022 World Championship, Bogota
Personal best: Snatch – 119 kg (CWR), C&J – 137 kg, Total – 256 kg
MISERENDINO Giulia (ITA) / Entry Total – 240 Kg
at the 2023 European Championship in Yerevan, she won silver. However, at the World Championship in Riyadh, she finished thirteenth, being defeated by over more powerful contenders in the division.
Expectations: Despite being a promising athlete in the Italian weightlifting team, Miserensino showed quite weak results at the prior competitions. So, we hope she’ll manage to get into the top 10 athletes in her weight division.
Country: Italy
Age: 21 y.o.
Instagram: @giulia_miserendino
Medal Record:
European Championship:
• Silver – Yerevan, 2023
Best Results: 105-125-230 (2023 European Championship, Yerevan)
Personal best: Snatch – 105 kg, C&J – 125 kg, Total – 230 kg
Women’s Up To 76 Kg
ALWINE Meredith (USA) / Entry Total – 239 Kg
is a gold medalist at the 2021 World Championship in Tashkent; she is also a three-time gold and bronze medalist at the Pan American Championships.
Expectations: considering her performances at the Pan Ams, Meredith Alwine can get at least third place and bring her team several bronze medals.
Country: USA
Age: 25 y.o.
Instagram: @meredithalwine
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Gold – 2021, Tashkent
Pan American Games:
• Bronze – 2023, Santiago
Pan American Championships:
• Gold – 2020, Santo Domingo;
• Gold – 2021, Guayaquil;
• Gold – 2023, Bariloche;
• Bronze – 2022, Bogota
Best Results: 103-135-238, 2020 Pan American Championship, Santo Domingo
Personal best: Snatch – 104 kg, C&J – 136 kg, Total – 238 kg
Women’s Up To 81 Kg
LIANG Xiaomei (CHN) / Enty total – 270 kg
a Chinese weightlifter who won two gold medals at the World Weightlifting Championships in 2022 and 2023.
Expectations: considering her previous accomplishments and excellent physical form, Liang is likely to clinch the gold medal in the category.
Country: China
Age: 26 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
Asian Games:
• Gold – 2022, Hangzhou
Best Results: 122-159-281, 2023 World Weightlifting Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 122 kg, C&J – 159 kg, Total – 281 kg
WANG Zhouyu (CHN) / Entry total – 270 kg
a Chinese weightlifter. She won the gold medal in the women’s 87 kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She’s a two-time gold and two-time silver medalist at the World Championships, also three-time gold and silver medalist at the Asian Championships.
Expectations: Due to her cool-mindedness and high concentration, Wang has all chances to become the winner in the category. Although, there’s a probability that she will share the leading positions with her compatriot Liang Xiaomei.
Country: China
Age: 29 y.o.
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Gold – 2020, Tokyo
World Championships:
• Gold – 2018, Ashgabat
• Gold, 2019, Pattaya
• Silver – 2022, Bogota
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2015, Phuket
• Gold – 2019, Ningbo
• Gold – 2020 Tashkent
• Silver – 2023, Jinju
Best Results: 126-160-286, 2020 Asian Championships, Tashkent
Personal best: Snatch – 126 kg, C&J – 160 kg, Total – 286 kg
CIKAMATANA Eileen Floanna Maria (AUS) / Entry total – 260 kg
an Australian weightlifter who previously represented Fiji. She competed in the women’s 90 kg event at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, winning gold.
She also won the gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, which made her the first woman to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games for two different countries. She also took silver at the 2022 Worlds in Bogota and bronze at the 2023 Worlds in Riyadh.
Expectations: There’s a big probability that Eileen will definitely secure a spot at the Top 4. Although, she should learn how to control her emotions and be more focused on her lifting performance.
Country: Australia
Age: 24 y.o.
Instagram: @_eileen87_
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Silver – 2022, Bogota
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
Commonwealth Games:
• Gold – 2022, Birmingham
Oceania Championships:
• Gold – 2021
IWF World Cup:
• Gold – 2021, Rome
• Gold – 2019, Tianjin
Best Results: 115-151-266, 2019 IWF Grand Prix, Lima
Personal best: Snatch – 115 kg, C&J – 151 kg, Total – 266 kg
ROGERS Martha Ann (USA) / Entry total – 252 kg
Also known as “Mattie” Rogers, is a four-time silver medalist at the World Championships. She holds the US record in the Snatch, Clean & Jerk, and total in the 76-kg weight category. She’s also a two-time gold and five-time bronze medalist at the Pan American Championships.
Expectations: Rogers has all the chances to bring her country a winning spot at the upcoming Championship in Bulgaria.
Country: USA
Age: 28 y.o.
Instagram: @mattierogersol
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Silver – 2017, Anaheim;
• Silver – 2019, Pattaya;
• Silver – 2021, Tashkent;
• Silver – 2022, Bogota
Pan American Championships:
• Gold – 2020, Santo Domingo;
• Gold – 2022, Bogota;
• Silver – 2018, Santo Domingo;
• Silver – 2019, Guatemala City;
• Silver – 2021, Guayaquil
Best Results: 112-143-255, 2021 USA Weightlifting National Championship, Detroit
Personal best: Snatch – 112 kg, C&J – 143 kg, Total – 255 kg
Women’s Up To 87 Kg
KOANDA Solfrid Eila Amena (NOR) / Entry Total – 270 Kg
is a two-time gold medalist at the European Championships, and got gold in the Clean & Jerk exercise at the Worlds in Saudi Arabia.
Expectations: We suppose that she will get a decent award for her performance.
Country: Norway
Age: 25 y.o
Instagram: @98solfrid
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Bogota;
• Bronze – 2021, Tashkent
European Championships: Gold – 2022, Tirana;
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan
Best Results: 117-155-272, 2023 European Championship, Yerevan
Personal best: Snatch – 117 kg, C&J – 156 kg, Total – 272 kg
MANIEVSKA Anastasiia (UKR) / Entry Total – 240 Kg
won a silver medal at the 2022 European Championship in Tirana, being defeated by Solfrid Koanda. She repeated the success at the 2023 European Championship: she became a two-time silver medalist in her weight class.
Expectations: Considering her previous performances, Marievska has good chances to get the top place in the weight class.
Country: Ukraine
Age: 25 y.o.
Instagram: @anastasia_manya
Medal Record:
European Championships:
• Silver – 2022, Tirana;
• Silver – 2023, Yerevan
European Junior & U23 Championships:
• Gold – 2021, Rovaniemi/U23 81 kg;
• Silver – 2019, Bucharest
Best Results: 108-130-238, 2023 European Championship, Yerevan
Personal best: Snatch – 108 kg, C&J – 130 kg, Total – 238 kg
Women’s Over To 87 Kg
LI Wenwen (CHN) / Entry total – 310 kg
a Chinese weightlifter who won the Olympic gold medal for the +87 kg division in 2020, and is the current world champion. She’s a two-time gold medalist at the World Championships, a three-time gold medalist at the Asian Championships, and also a Champion at the National Games of China.
Expectations: Being a total Champion and the strongest in the super heavyweight division in the Chinese team, we believe that Li Wenwen will get her next gold.
Country: China
Age: 23 y.o.
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Gold – 2020, Tokyo
World Championships:
• Gold – 2019, Pattaya
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2019, Ningbo
• Gold – 2020, Tashkent
• Gold – 2023, Jinju
National Games of China:
• Gold – 2021, Shaanxi
Best Results:
148-187-335, 2020 Asian Championships, Tashkent
Personal best: Snatch – 148 kg, C&J – 187 kg, Total – 355 kg
THEISEN LAPPEN Mary Anne (USA) / Entry total – 283 kg
won silver at the 2023 World Championship in Riyadh; a three-time gold medalist at the Pan American Championships.
Expectations: Being a powerful weightlifter, Theisen Lappen will probably succeed in winning a medal at this competition.
Country: USA
Age: 33 y.o.
Instagram: @marytheisenlappen
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh
Pan American Games:
• Gold – 2023, Santiago
Pan American Championships:
• Gold – 2021, Guayaquil;
• Gold – 2023, Bariloche
Best Results:
120-157-277, 2023 Pan American Games, Santiago
117-160-277, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 120 kg, C&J – 160 kg, Total – 277 kg
ROBLES Sarah (USA) / Entry Total – 276 Kg
two-time bronze medalist of the Olympic finals; 2017 senior world champion, and 2008 junior world silver medalist; five-time Pan American champion; eleven-time national champion.
Expectations: Robles will definitely show incredible performance proving the supremacy of the American weightlifting team.
Country: USA
Age: 35 y.o.
Instagram: @oblympian
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Bronze – 2016, Rio de Janeiro;
• Bronze – 2020, Tokyo
World Championship:
• Gold – 2017, Anaheim
Pan American Games:
• Gold – 2019, Lima
Pan American Championships:
• Gold – 2017, Miami;
• Gold – 2018, Santo Domingo;
• Gold – 2019, Guatemala City;
• Gold – 2020, Santo Domingo;
• Gold – 2022, Bogota;
• Silver – 2023, Bariloche
Best Results: 128-162-290, 2018 World Championship, Ashgabat
Personal best: Snatch – 128 kg, C&J – 162 kg (AM), Total: 290 kg (AM)
Preliminary Men’s Entry List:
Men’s Up To 55 Kg
NGO Son Dinh (VIE) / Entry total – 270 kg
A Vietnamese weightlifter, a silver medalist at the World Championships in 2022 and 2023, a silver medalist at the 2023 Asian Championships. He’s also a Champion at the Junior Olympic Games in 2018.
Expectations: Considering that he’s a young lifter who’s full of energy, it’s likely he will take some leading position in his weight category.
Country: Vietnam
Age: 22 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Silver – 2022, Bogota
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh
Asian Championships:
• Silver – 2023, Jinju
Best Results: 117-144-261, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 117 kg, C&J – 144 kg, Total – 261 kg
LAI Gia Thanh (VIE) / Entry total – 270 kg
a Vietnamese weightlifter and the 2018 junior world champion
Expectations: this talented Vietnamese lifter can get some leading spot in this lightweight division.
Country: Vietnam
Age: 25 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
Best Results: 123 -146-269, 2023 World Championships, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 123 kg, C&J – 146 kg, Total – 269 kg
Men’s Up To 61 Kg
LI Fabin (CHN) / Entry total – 310 kg
a Chinese weightlifter, Olympic gold medalist, World Champion, and four-time Asian Champion.
Expectations: We suppose that Li Fabin can win the category as he’s a powerful, experienced, and highly technical lifter.
Country: China
Age: 31 y.o.
Instagram: @lifabin61k
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Gold – 2020, Tokyo
World Championships:
• Gold – 2019, Pattaya
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
• Gold – 2023, Riyad
• Silver – 2018, Ashgabat
Asian Games:
• Gold – 2022, Hangzhou
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2020, Tashkent
• Gold – 2023, Jinju
Best Results: 145-173-318, 2021 World Championship, Pattaya
Personal best: Snatch – 145 kg, C&J – 175 kg, Total – 318 kg
MASSIDDA Sergio (ITA)/ Entry total – 300 kg
A silver medalist at the 2023 European Championship in Yerevan; and also a silver medalist at the World Championship in Riyadh.
Expectations: Being a promising weightlifter in the Italian team, Massidda can show fruitful results at this competition, probably by getting silver in the weight division.
Country: Italy
Age: 21 y.o.
Instagram: @sergio_massidda
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh
European Championship:
• Silver – 2023, Yerevan
Best Results: 137-165-302, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 137 kg, C&J – 165 kg, Total – 302 kg
MORRIS Hampton Miller (USA) / Entry total – 292 kg
a three-time gold medalist at the Pan American Championships and also a gold and silver medalist at the Junior competitions.
Expectations: This promising and skillful lifter is likely to take a medal in the weight category, being ranked in the top 3.
Country: USA
Age: 19 y.o.
Instagram: @hamptonmorris
Medal Record:
Pan American Championships:
• Gold – 2021, Guayaquil;
• Gold – 2022, Bogota;
• Gold – 2023, Bariloche
Junior Pan American Games:
• Silver – 2021, Cali
Junior World Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Heraklion;
• Silver – 2023, Guadalajara
Youth World Championship:
• Gold – 2021, Jeddah
Best Results: 123-158-281, 2023 Pan American Championship, Bariloche
Personal best: Snatch – 123 kg, C&J – 168 kg, Total – 281 kg
Men’s Up To 67 Kg
DING Hongjie (CHN) / Entry total – 310 kg
a Chinese weightlifter, a bronze medalist at the 2023 World Championships in Riyadh.
Expectations: We guess that Ding Hongjie won’t occupy the Top two positions, although if being in a good form, he would get to the fourth or even third spot in the category.
Country: China
Age: 22 y.o.
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
Best Results: 135-166-301, 2023 World Championships, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 135 kg, C&J – 166 kg, Total – 301 kg
YASIN Mohammad (INA)/ Entry total – 300 kg
an Indonesian weightlifter, competing in the 67-kg class since the 2019 Asian Weightlifting Championships in Ningbo, China. He debuted in an international competition at the 2017 Youth World Championships in Bangkok in the 62 kg category.
Expectations: Being not among the supposed leaders, we suppose that this athlete ordered 300 kg of the entry total, so there’s a possibility that he will take a worthy place in the category.
Country: Indonesia
Age: 24 y.o.
Medal Record:
Asian Championships:
• Silver – 2022, Manama
Islamic Solidarity Games:
• Silver – 2021, Konya
Southeast Asian Games:
• Silver – 2021, Hanoi
• Bronze – 2023, Phnom Penh
Best Results: 140-160-300, 2023 World Championships, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 140 kg, C&J – 160 kg, Total – 300 kg
Men’s Up To 73 Kg
JUNIANSYAH Rizki (INA) / Entry total – 350 kg
an Indonesian weightlifter winning silver at the 2022 World Championships in Bogota. He’s also a gold medalist at the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games in Konya, and a two-time gold medalist at the Junior World Championships.
Expectations: Rizki is a talented weightlifter who can show his best performance at this World Cup, so we’re waiting that he’ll gain the leading position.
Country: Indonesia
Age: 20 y.o.
Instagram: @rjuniansyah_
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Silver – 2022, Bogota
Asian Championships:
• Silver – 2024, Tashkent
Islamic Solidarity Games:
• Gold – 2021, Konya
Junior World Championships:
• Gold – 2021, Tashkent
• Gold – 2022, Heraklion
Best Results: 155-194-349, 2021 Junior World Championships, Tashkent
Personal best: Snatch – 157 kg, C&J – 190 kg, Total – 349 kg
SHI Zhiyong (CHN) / Entry total – 350 kg
a Chinese weightlifter, a two-time Olympic Champion, three-time World Champion and four-time Asian Champion. He holds the current world records in the -73 kg class for the snatch and total, and has set 13 world records.
Expectations: Shi Zhiyong is our favorite in the category who is supposed to win the gold medal.
Country: China
Age: 30 y.o.
Instagram: @shi_zhi_yong
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Gold – 2016, Rio de Janeiro
• Gold – 2020, Tokyo
World Championships:
• Gold – 2019, Pattaya
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2019, Ningbo
• Gold – 2020, Tashkent
National Games of China:
• Gold – 2021, Shaanxi
Best Results: 166-198-364, 2020 Olympic Games, Tokyo
Personal best: Snatch – 169 kg, C&J – 198 kg, Total – 364 kg
SUHAREVS Ritvars (LAT) / Entry total – 345 kg
A gold and two-time bronze medalist at the European Championships, two-time silver medalist at the European Junior Championships, and four-time gold medalist at the European Youth Championships.
Expectations: Considering his previous results in Qatar, we expect to see another impressive performance from this talented Latvian lifter who has all the chances to be in the top 3 in his weight category.
Country: Latvia
Age: 25 y.o.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suharevs/
Medal Record:
European Championships:
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan;
• Bronze – 2021, Moscow;
• Bronze (2019 Batumi)
European Junior Championships:
• Silver – 2016, Eilat;
• Silver – 2015, Klaipeda
Grand Prix II:
• Gold – 2023, Doha
Best Results: 162-192-354, 2021 European Championship, Batumi
Personal best: Snatch – 162 kg, C&J – 192 kg, Total – 354 kg
Men’s Up To 81 Kg
REYES MARTINEZ Oscar (ITA) / Entry total – 365 kg
A World and European Champion in the 81-kg weight class who won gold at the Worlds in Riyadh and Europeans in Yerevan in 2023.
Expectations: There’s a big probability that this Italian weightlifter can show good performance and gain a winning medal.
Country: Italy
Age: 27 y.o.
Instagram: @martinezoscarreyes
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
European Championship:
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan
Best Results: 163-193-356, 2023 World Championship, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 163 kg, C&J – 193 kg, Total – 356 kg
CABALA Sebastian (SVK) / Entry total – 325 kg
a Slovakian weightlifter who has 6 national records under 15 years, 3 under 17 years, 1 under 20 years. He’s a multiple champion of the Slovak Republic and winner of several international tournaments.
Expectations: Considering his previous performance at the Europeans in Sofia when he ranked 8th, we suppose that he will result with a place in the Top 10 in the weight division.
Country: Slovakia
Age: 22 y.o.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sebastian_cabala/
Medal Record:
European Championships:
• Gold – 2022
European Youth Championships:
• Bronze – 2019, 2023
Best Results: 142-174-316, 2024 European Championships, Sofia
Personal best: Snatch – 142 kg, C&J – 174 kg, Total – 316 kg
Men’s Up To 89 Kg
TIAN Tao (CHN) / Entry total – 385 kg
a Chinese weightlifter, Olympiс Bronze Medalist 2016, World Champion, Asian Champion and Asian Games Champion.
Expectations: Having recovered after shoulder injury, it seems that Tian Tao is ready to hit the podium and clinch the gold medal.
Country: China
Age: 29 y.o.
Instagram: @tiantao89kg1
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Silver – 2016, Rio de Janeiro
World Championships:
• Gold – 2019, Pattaya
• Silver – 2018, Ashgabat
Asian Games:
• Gold – 2022, Hangzhou
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2020, Tashkent
• Gold – 2023, Jinju
Best Results: 180-230-410, 2021 World Championship, Pattaya
Personal best: Snatch – 181 kg, C&J – 231 kg, Total – 410 kg
LI Dayin (CHN) / Entry total – 385 kg
a Chinese weightlifter and Asian Champion who set three world records and holds the Snatch Junior World Record in the 81-kg division, as well as the Snatch and Total Senior World Record in the 89-kg category.
Expectations: Together with Tian Tao, his teammate and contender at the same time, Li Dayin will defend the title of the strongest lifter in the 89-kg weight class.
Country: China
Age: 26 y.o.
Instagram: @lidayin89kg
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
• Silver – 2019, Pattaya
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh
• Bronze – 2018, Ashgabat
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2019, Ningbo
• Gold – 2023, Jinju
National Games of China:
• Gold – 2021, Shaanxi
Best Results: 180-216-396, 2023 Asian Championships, Jinju
Personal best: Snatch – 180 kg, C&J – 216 kg, Total – 396 kg
PIZZOLATO Antonino (ITA) / Entry total – 380 kg
Olympian bronze medalist in Tokyo, and three-time European Champion, two-time gold medalist at the Mediterranean Games.
Expectations: Being the major opponent for Karlos Nasar, Pizzolato is another powerful lifter who can impress us with immense weight. He’s a key contender to get a medal in the weight class.
Country: Italy
Age: 27 y.o.
Instagram: @nino_pizzolato
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Bronze – 2020, Tokyo
World Championship:
• Bronze – 2017, Anaheim
European Championship:
• Gold – 2019, Batumi;
• Gold – 2021, Moscow;
• Gold – 2022, Tirana
Mediterranean Games:
• Gold – 2022, Oran
Best Results: 175-217-392, 2022 European Championship, Tirana
Personal best: Snatch – 175 kg, C&J – 217 kg, Total – 392 kg
Nasar Karlos May (BUL) / Entry total – 370 kg
is one of the youngest world record holders and champions ever: at 17 years old, he broke the senior 81kg Clean & Jerk world record (208 kg) to win the 2021 World Championship in Tashkent. At 18 years old, Karlos broke the world record in 89kg (220 kg) to win the gold medal in Clean & Jerk at the 2022 World Championship.
At the Europeans in Yerevan, he set five new World records in the 89kg event in one day in the Junior and Senior categories. He’s also a gold medalist at the Grand Prix II in Qatar.
Expectations: Nasar is a highly motivated, competitive, and promising weightlifter who constantly shows incredible results despite injuries. We’re sure that he will prove his supremacy once again and probably set another record.
Country: Bulgaria
Age: 19 y.o.
Instagram: @karlos_nasar_
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Gold – 2021, Tashkent
European Championships:
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan;
• Silver – 2021, Moscow;
• Silver – 2022, Tirana
IWF Grand Prix:
• Gold – 2023, Doha
World Youth Championship:
• Gold – 2019, Las Vegas
IWF Youth World Cup Online:
• Gold – 2020, Peru
Best Results: 174-221-395, 2023 European Championship, Yerevan;
Personal best: Snatch – 174 kg, C&J – 223 kg (WR), Total – 395 kg
Men’s Up To 96 Kg
ABOKAHLA Karim Ibrahim Ali (EGY) / Entry Total – 385 kg
the 2023 World Champion in the 96 kg category, moved up to 7th place in the International Weightlifting Federation’s Olympic rankings, ahead of Italy’s Antonio Pizzolato and Armenia’s Adnanik Karapetyan, and almost guaranteed himself a place at Paris 2024.
Expectations: Winning the African weightlifting title with impressive lifts, Abokahla can take the leadership in the category.
Country: Egypt
Age: 27 y.o.
Instagram: @karim_abokahla
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
Best Results: 174-213-387, 2023 World Championships, Riyadh
Personal best: Snatch – 174 kg, C&J – 213 kg, Total – 387 kg
Won Jongbeom (KOR) / Entry total – 384 kg
Country: North Korea
Age: 27 y.o.
Instagram: @1.beom_2
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
Best Results: 162-205-367, 2024 Asian Championships, Tashkent
Personal best: Snatch – 162 kg, C&J – 205 kg, Total – 367 kg
DAVITADZE Revaz (GEO) / Entry total – 375 kg
a Georgian weightlifter, a three-time bronze medalist at the World Championships, a gold medalist, two-time silver, and bronze medalist at the European Championships.
Expectations: Revaz Davitadze can occupy the spot in the Top 5.
Country: Georgia
Age: 25 y.o.
Instagram: @rezi.davitadze
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Bronze – 2018, Ashgabat
• Bronze – 2019, Pattaya
• Bronze – 2021, Tashkent
European Championships:
• Gold – 2018, Bucharest
• Silver – 2019, Batumi
• Bronze – 2022, Tirana
Best Results: 171-203-374, 2021 European Championship, Moscow
Personal best: Snatch – 171 kg, C&J – 203 kg, Total – 374 kg
Men’s Up To 102 Kg
BACHA Aymen (TUN) / Entry total – 402 kg
a Tunisian weightlifter, competing at the 2019 African Games in Rabat where he won silver in the men’s 109 kg category.
Country: Tunisia
Age: 24 y.o.
Medal Record:
African Games:
• Silver – 2019, Rabat
Mediterranean Games:
• Gold – 2022, Oran
• Silver – 2022, Oran
African Championships:
• Gold – 2021, Nairobi
Best Results: 177-211-388, 2020 Olympic Games
Personal best: Snatch – 177 kg, C&J – 211 kg, Total – 388 kg
KARAPETYAN Garik (ARM) / Entry total – 400 kg
European Youth Champion European Champion in 2023 in the 96-kg weight category. At the Europeans in Yerevan, he also became the European Champion. At the Worlds in Riyadh, he ranked fifth while setting a new youth world record.
Expectations: We expect him to see at the first top positions in the weight class.
Country: Armenia
Age: 20 y.o.
Instagram: @garikkarapetyan666
Medal Record:
European Championship:
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan
Best Results: 178-214-392, 2023 European Championship, Yerevan
Personal best: Snatch – 178 kg, C&J – 214 kg, Total – 392 kg
ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim (QAT) / Entry total – 400 kg
known as Meso Hassouna, is an Egyptian lifter representing Qatar. He is an Olympic Champion, World Champion, and two-time Junior World Champion.
Expectations: Everyone is expecting that Meso will take another gold medal and will reign the division showcasing his perfect physical condition.
Country: Qatar
Age: 25 y.o.
Instagram: @mesohassona
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Gold – 2020, Tokyo
World Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
• Silver – 2019, Pattaya
• Silver – 2021, Tashkent
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Manama
• Silver – 2020, Tashkent
Best Results: 176-228-404, 2019 Qatar Cup, Doha
Personal best: Snatch – 178 kg, C&J – 228 kg, Total – 404 kg
GASPARYAN Samvel (ARM) / Entry Total – 400 Kg
won the bronze medal at the 2022 World Championship in Bogota. He won two gold medals in the European Championship, the men’s 102 kg event at the 2021 European Championship, and in the 109-kg class at the 2023 European Championship.
Expectations: Gasparyan will definitely get at least bronze as he’s known for his ultimate determination and persistence.
Country: Armenia
Age: 26 y.o.
Instagram: @samvelgasparyan
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Bronze – 2022, Bogota
European Championships:
• Gold – 2021, Moscow
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan
• Silver – 2019, Batumi
• Silver – 2022, Tirana
Best Results: 175-220-395, 2023 European Championship, Yerevan
Personal best: Snatch – 175 kg, C&J – 220 kg, Total – 395 kg
Men’s Up To 109 Kg
NURUDINOV Ruslan (UZB) / Entry total – 410 kg
an Uzbekistani weightlifter who is the first world champion for Uzbekistan in weightlifting (2013). He won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympics, setting a new Olympic record in the Clean & Jerk of 237 kg.
Expectations: The weightlifting devotees put great hopes for Nuridinov’s victory, and he can fulfill their dreams fully.
Country: Uzbekistan
Age: 32 y.o.
Instagram: @nurudinov_ruslan_weightlifting
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Gold – 2016, Rio de Janeiro
World Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Bogota
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh
• Silver – 2021, Tashkent
Asian Games:
• Bronze – 2022, Hangzhou
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2024, Tashkent
• Gold – 2023, Jinju
Best Results: 193-239-432, 2014 World Championship, Almaty
Personal best: Snatch – 194 kg, C&J – 241 kg, Total – 432 kg
DADASHBAYLI Dadash (AZE) / Entry total – 385 kg
A bronze medalist at Europeans in 2021 and World Record in 2023. He became a bronze medalist at the World Championship in Riyadh, while at the Grand Prix II in Doha, he became a winner in his weight category by getting two golds and one silver in the single exercises.
Expectations: It seems that he will be the next bronze holder in the weight class.
Country: Azerbaijan
Age: 27 y.o.
Instagram: @dadashbeyli102
Medal Record:
World Championship:
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
European Championship:
• Bronze – 2021, Moscow
Best Results: 180-223-403, 2023 European Championship, Yerevan
LALAYAN Varazdat (ARM) / Entry total – 460 kg
a three-time medalist at the World Championships and a three-time medalist at the European Championships.
Expectations: Lalayan has all the chances to become a major contender in the category, being ranked in the top three.
Country: Armenia
Age: 24 y.o.
Instagram: @v_lalayan_001
Medal Record:
World Championships:
• Silver – 2021, Tashkent
• Silver – 2023, Riyadh
• Bronze – 2022, Bogota
European Championships:
• Silver – 2022, Tirana
• Silver – 2023, Yerevan
• Bronze – 2021, Moscow
Best Results: 215-250-462, 2023 European Championship, Yerevan
Personal best: Snatch – 215, C&J – 250 kg, Total – 462 kg
Gor MINASYAN (BRN) / Entry total – 450 kg
an Armenian-born Bahraini weightlifter, and Olympic silver medalist, two-time silver and two-time bronze medalist
Expectations: This super heavyweight athlete is believed to be in the Top 3 in this weight category, always competing with his opponents Lalayan and Minasyan. We suppose this time he’ll show great numbers on the bar.
Country: Bahrain
Age: 29 y.o.
Instagram: @minasyan___001
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Silver – 2016, Rio de Janeiro
World Championships:
• Silver – 2018, Ashgabat
• Silver – 2019, Pattaya
• Bronze – 2021, Tashkent
• Silver – 2022, Bogota
• Bronze – 2023, Riyadh
European Championships:
• Bronze – 2022, Tirana
• Silver – 2021, Moscow
Asian Championships:
• Gold – 2022, Manama
• Gold – 2023, Jinju
Best Results: 217-247-464, 2023 Asian Championships, Jinju
Personal best: Snatch – 217 kg, C&J – 250 kg, Total – 464 kg
TALAKHADZE Lasha (GEO) / Entry total – 450 kg
Is a two-time Olympic Champion, seven-time World Champion, and seven-time European Champion who currently holds all-time world records in Snatch, Clean & Jerk, and total.
Expectations: Being a seven-time world champion, and seven-time European champion, this super heavyweight lifter is likely to become the winner and prove his ultimate power and supremacy in the category.
Country: Georgia
Age: 30 y.o.
Instagram: @talakhadzelasha_official
Medal Record:
Olympic Games:
• Gold – 2016, Rio de Janeiro;
• Gold – 2020, Tokyo
World Championship:
• Gold – 2018, Ashgabat;
• Gold – 2019, Pattaya;
• Gold – 2021, Tashkent;
• Gold – 2022, Bogota;
• Gold – 2023, Riyadh
European Championship:
• Gold – 2018, Bucharest;
• Gold – 2019, Batumi;
• Gold – 2021, Moscow;
• Gold 2022, Tirana;
• Gold – 2023, Yerevan
Best Results: 225-267-492, 2021 World Championship, Tashkent
Personal best: Snatch – 225 kg, C&J – 267 kg (CWR), Total – 492 kg (CWR)
Final Thoughts
Being the final qualifying stage for athletes aiming to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics, Phuket is witnessing an unprecedented assembly of approximately 850 competitors from 115 countries who are expected to compete.
All of them possess the shared goal of securing a spot in the Paris Olympics. The entire weightlifting community looks straight into Phuket, where the 2024 IWF World Cup is set to be a display of physical strength, determination, and technique. Indeed, it will be a celebration of such essential sports values – respect, equality, and the quest for perfection.
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Author: Tanya Shaiko
News Editor, Olympic Lifting Enthusiast
Best Results: Snatch – 61 kg,
C&J – 78 kg
I’m Tanya, and I just can’t do without fitness. About six years ago, I got into Olympic weightlifting and instantly fell in love with it. Weightlifting is like no other sport – it’s just you versus the bar. Driven by my unwavering passion for an active lifestyle, I’ve been eager to share my personal journey and sports enthusiasm with others. As a journalist and photographer, my interests come full circle, adding an extra dimension to the news column that I curate. This way, I keep my readers updated with the latest happenings in the sports world.