WEIGHTLIFTING – North Korea enjoyed a dominant run in the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Championships 2024 in Bahrain, topping the final medal tables for both women and men as the competition came to a close on Sunday night after 10 days of heated competition.
The North Korean lifters bagged 45 medals in all – 29 amongst the women and 16 from the men – including 26 gold overall, 13 silver, and six bronze medals from the snatch, clean and jerk, and totals.
From their national team members, nine North Korean lifters were crowned world champions. They include five women, namely Song Kuk Hyang (76kg), Ri Suk (64kg), Kim Il Gyong (59kg), Kang Hyon Gyong (55kg), and Ri Song Gum (49kg); and four men, including Ri Chong Song (81kg), Ri Ryong Hyong (73kg), Ri Won Ju (67kg), and Pak Myong Jin (61kg).
Fourteen of North Korea’s gold medals were won by the women, who also claimed nine silver and six bronze medals. Finishing behind them on the rankings were China, also winning 14 gold, along with six silver and five bronze medals, while the US were the only other team to come away with gold, taking two to go with one silver medal.
On the men’s medal table, North Korea’s lifters bagged 12 gold medals to go with four silver.
Kazakhstan followed with three gold, three silver and one bronze medal, while Uzbekistan had three gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
Bulgaria also came away with three gold medals, while Armenia had two gold, one silver and two bronze medals. Winning a gold medal each in this year’s worlds were Iran, South Korea, Thailand, Brazil, Georgia, Colombia, and Spain.
Bahrain won one medal in the event – a silver for snatch, claimed by Gor Minasyan in the men’s over-109kg division.
This year’s world championships were held under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport (SCYS) chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa.
SCYS first deputy chairman, General Sports Authority chairman, and Bahrain Olympic Committee president Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa attended the closing ceremony on Sunday.
Shaikh Khalid commended Bahrain’s successful hosting of the championships, emphasising that this achievement underscores the kingdom’s prominent position in organising international sports events.
He acknowledged the significant efforts of the Bahraini Weightlifting Federation (BWF), led by BWF president Eshaq Ebrahim Eshaq, and the organising committee, who received tokens of appreciation from participating delegations.
Shaikh Khalid highlighted that hosting the world championships aligns with the vision of Bahrain’s leadership to establish the kingdom as a global sports hub. He noted the capability of Team Bahrain to organise large-scale sporting events to the highest international standards, reflecting the professionalism and excellence that characterise Bahraini sports.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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