Day 8 Highlights: Antropov Claims Second Victory for Kazakhstan at IWF Championships

Artyom Antropov of Kazakhstan won his second consecutive title at the IWF World Championships in Bahrain, lifting a total of 400kg, just 2kg shy of the world record. Spain achieved its first medal in the championships, while China’s Liao Guifang and Mongolia’s Ankha Munkjantsan also celebrated notable victories, marking significant moments in their careers. The competition highlighted both achievements and challenges faced by various athletes.

On the eighth day of the IWF World Championships in Bahrain, Artyom Antropov secured Kazakhstan’s second consecutive victory within the competition, overcoming Meso Hassona of Qatar in a thrilling 102kg weight category showdown. Despite a slow start where Antropov occupied the twelfth position and Hassona was seventh at the midway point, both demonstrated formidable strength in the clean and jerk phase, ultimately finishing strongly.

Antropov achieved a total lift of 400kg, concluding with a clean and jerk of 230kg, just 2kg shy of the world record held by China’s Liu Huanhua, which he aspires to challenge at the upcoming Asian Championships. His performance was complemented by Ruiz of Spain, who earned his nation’s first-ever medal at the Championships, coming in third with a total of 395kg.

China showcased its dominance once again with Liao Guifang winning the women’s 81kg category, making all six of her lifts and finishing well ahead of Egypt’s Sara Samir, who encountered difficulties during her attempts. Mongolian weightlifting legend Ankha Munkjantsan made her final international appearance, securing a podium finish in her last competition before retirement. Her illustrious 17-year career concluded as she aims to focus on family, expressing her desire to have more children while staying involved in the sport at the national level.

The competition also saw the discouraging outcomes for several athletes, with numerous unsuccessful lifts noted, including notable junior record attempts by Turkmenistan’s Shahzadbek Matyakubov and Iran’s Alireza Nasiri. Yekta Jamali from the Weightlifting Refugee Team made significant progress, setting a personal best and aiming for future success in upcoming competitions.

Overall, the event highlighted the remarkable achievements of athletes from various nations, showcasing intense competition, especially in the clean and jerk discipline, and marking significant career milestones for several competitors.

The IWF World Championships in Bahrain serves as a significant international platform for weightlifters to compete at high levels, often leading to career-defining opportunities. As part of the global sporting community, these championships attract athletes from diverse backgrounds who aim to showcase their talents. This year’s event saw several national records and personal achievements, setting the stage for upcoming competitions, notably the Asian Championships where athletes will further pursue their goals, including world record attempts.

In conclusion, the eighth day of the Championships underscored the impressive performances of weightlifters from Kazakhstan, China, Spain, and Mongolia, among others. Antropov’s and Hassona’s battle exemplified the intensity of the competition, while Liao’s and Munkjantsan’s successes told a story of personal achievement and dedication in the sport. As athletes set their sights on future championships, the narratives of resilience, ambition, and the pursuit of excellence continue to unfold in the world of weightlifting.

Original Source: iwf.sport