No.143 OFFICIAL MAGAZINE of INTERNATIONAL WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION WEIGHTLIFTING

No.143 OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF INTERNATIONAL WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING FEDERATION WEIGHTLIFTING

Lasha TALAKHADZE, Georgia

2017 World Champion with epic world records Lifter of the Year 2017 PHOTO: JÓZSEF SZAKA JÓZSEF PHOTO:

2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS ANAHEIM SPECIAL

Published by International Weightlifting Federation

DR. TAMÁS AJÁN IWF President IOC Honorary Member

MOHAMMED JALOOD IWF General Secretary

Editor-in-Chief KORNÉL JANCSÓ

Senior Editor ANIKÓ NÉMETH-MÓRA

Communication Director LILLA ROZGONYI

Photos JÓZSEF SZAKA

Art Editor Crazy Panda Studio

Graphic Design Marcell Studio (www.marcelltamas.hu)

Spanish & Russian Editions DAVID COLON ARROYO MARINA SHAFIT ÁGNES LUKÁCSFALVI

Printed by TypoNova (www.typonova.hu)

All communications: [email protected] www.iwf.net CONTENTS No.143 facebook.com/iwfnet twitter.com/iwfnet instagram.com/iwfnet youtube.com/iwfmedia 02-03 | FOREWORD BY THE PRESIDENT

Any articles, results 04-05 | WEIGHTLIFTING AT ITS BEST – 2017 IWF WORLD or photos published in WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM, USA - INTRODUCTION may be reproduced without the written consent of the IWF, 06-24 | 2017 IWF WWC - MEN however, reference should be made to this publication. 26-46 | 2017 IWF WWC - WOMEN

48 | ANAHEIM MOMENTS ISSN 0230-3035

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 1 › FOREWORD

FOREWORD Dear Friends, Dear Readers,

his issue of WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING looks back and reports on the 2017 highlight that took place in December, the IWF World Championships in Anaheim, California, USA. The Champion- ships were unique from many different points of view: it reflected the IWF Executive Board’s bold decision to suspend the nine countries most affected in the reanalysis of the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games’ long-term stored samples. The entailed absence of some of the world’s Tformerly most prominent weightlifters had peculiar impact on the Championships. If you think it resulted in a depressed performance standard and mediocre lifting, you are wrong. No, in most categories lifters were fighting in a level field and the triumph was a product of excellence often just by a narrow margin over the next best. And we even witnessed world records – a scarce occurrence nowadays in the tightly controlled system. In any case, Anaheim opened the door to new nations, new champions and, above all, it was a celebration of clean sport – thus proving our measures and pioneer antidoping policy right. The #iLIFTCLEAN campaign was also very well received. Besides, thanks to the outstanding promotional activity and wide social media response obtained with the help of our host, the USA Weightlifting Federa- tion, and our TV and marketing partner Lagardère Sports, the impact of Anaheim 2017 has been overall successful.

In the year of 2018, our International Federation shall keep on focusing on the task assigned to us by the International Olympic Committee’s Executive Board decision last July. The fight on doping has always been high on the IWF’s agenda, but now – more than ever before - it enjoys absolute priority. Our primary mission is to safeguard the integrity of weightlifting by assuring that the athletes competing are clean – the world over. In this context, we have also concrete projects ahead: the Olympic Qualification System for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, as per the parameters specified by the IOC and at the same time ensuring transparency and a water-tight anti-doping shield to protect both the clean athletes and the sport’s Olympic prestige. The other one – also to be looked at in complexity – is the currently ongoing complete review of the bodyweight categories.

2 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING A number of IOC Members were our guests at Anaheim 2017, among them USOC President Mr. Larry Probst who met with IWF Executive Board members and staff t is well known that we have set up two special commissions: the Clean Sport Commission and the Sport Programme Commission – both including renowned experts from outside the weightlifting society and both very closely cooperating with the IWF Secretariat.

At the same time, we continue the dialogue and consultations with the relevant Departments Iand Directors of the International Olympic Committee, as well as with the ASOIF. The IWF General Secretary, Mr. Mohammed Jalood and Director General, Mr. Attila Ádámfi have recently concluded fruitful meetings with the IOC. Parallel, the two Commissions’ activity is now being continued as it has proved immensely useful and gratifying. The recommendations and the anti-doping project submitted by the IWF Executive Board to the IOC last December have been accepted and now remain to be implemented – a process that has already started.

In the coming weeks there will be several important gatherings at top level in the IWF. First, we shall have a coordination meeting between the Continental Federations’ Presidents and General Secreta- ries, and the IWF leaders in Astana, Kazakhstan. At the end of March we go to Colorado Springs for an Executive Board meeting enjoying the hospitality of the USA Olympic Committee and the USA Weightlifting Federation.

However, the fate of weightlifting is not (only) decided around the meeting tables: the IWF calendar is full and athletes all over the world regularly mount the competition platform to face a wide range of challenges in 2018. We must give special highlight to the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires in October and the Continental Qualification Events to decide about the former’s participating fields. The climax for the seniors is the IWF World Championships to be held in November and real- located from Peru to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The Juniors will meet in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and the University World Championships are going to be hosted by Poland in September.

In addition to these IWF events, 2018 is a year of “Games” all of which keep weightlifting on their programme. To give you a non-exhaustive list: the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia; the South-American Games in Cochabamba, Bolivia; the Mediterranean Games in Tarragona, Spain; or the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.

All the way, however, we shall not lose focus on our chief target: to pursue our ambitious anti-doping program satisfying the IOC with its pertinence and effectivity, while answering the challenge of elaborating and implementing new bodyweight categories – two times 10, as already decided – and select those 2x7 that will be con- tested at Tokyo2020.

Our Agenda for 2018 is complete: please help us with your support to be able to report in next The IWF President opening the 2017 Anaheim January that we have managed to safeguard the World Championships integrity of weightlifting and protect those lifting clean.

DR. TAMÁS AJÁN IWF PRESIDENT

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 3 A number of IOC Members were our guests at Anaheim 2017, among them USOC President Mr. Larry Probst who met with IWF Executive Board members and staff › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

TEXT: KORNÉL JANCSÓ, ANIKÓ NÉMETH-MÓRA, TÍMEA HORVÁTH PHOTOS: JÓZSEF SZAKA

WEIGHTLIFTING AT ITS BEST SURPRISES AND WORLD RECORDS DESPITE ABSENTEES

he 2017 edition of the IWF World Champion- ROSTAMI (85kg) of Iran; and three representing the ships brought many surprising turns, women Olympic champions: Sopita TANASAN (48kg) and unpredicted results, “justified and unjustified” Sukanya SRISURAT (58kg) of Thailand, as well as HSU absences and, at the same time, world records Shu-Ching (53kg) from Chinese Taipei. From the latter (4 for seniors and 1 for juniors). Nine countries group TANASAN, having moved up by a category, duelled T - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, with HSU in the 53kg; whereas in the 58kg SRISURAT Moldova, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine – banned due to tried to challenge KUO Hsing-Chun (TPE), Rio Olympic their Olympic reanalysis doping cases as well as DPR bronze medallist and prior to the WWC clean and jerk Korea opting for non-participation were absent in this world record-maker. challenge being the seventh of its kind held on Ameri- Two of the defending champions tested their luck again can soil, yet the first one to be carried out in Anaheim, in Anaheim: TALAKHADZE among the men, and HSU California, a city near Los Angeles. The venue was the among the women. Beside these two, the lifter who huge Anaheim Convention Center adjacent to the world attracted the greatest attention was undoubtedly Iran’s famous Disneyland Park. The Championships were stud- Behdad SALIMIKORDASIABI, 2012 Olympic champion, ded with novel features in both the competition program reported before the event to be able to challenge, or even and the allocation of medals. This was the first world corner, his successor on the superheavyweight throne, championships for women in 8 bodyweight categories, Georgia’s giant Lasha. Among the ladies the highest namely in the 90kg and +90kg replacing the former +75kg excitement preceded the show by 75kg Spanish superstar class. The 1,800th world championships medal could be Lidia VALENTIN, winner of three Olympic medals – each presented for women, while in the men the 4,000th medal of different colour, but never before world champion. Until found its worthy owner! now… All in all 63 countries were represented with 315 compe- Looking at the history of medal-winning countries we can titors; 176 men and 139 women. Despite those absent the state that the 2017 World Championships granted the field was of top quality including no less than six of Rio’s first men’s medals to Chile (3 gold), Ecuador (1 bronze) Olympic champions. Three for men: Lasha TALAKHADZE and Mexico (1 silver, 1 bronze) and Turkmenistan could of Georgia (+105kg), Sohrab MORADI (94kg) and Kianoush celebrate their first World Championships silver medals.

Best Lifter of the 2017 World Championships: Lasha Talakhadze. 4 / WORLDTrophy WEIGHTLIFTING awarded by Dr. Aján and Kornél Jancsó, Editor in Chief › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

n the women, first ever world championship medals organisation we thought would be difficult to surpass. were won by Chile (1 gold, 1 silver), Georgia (2 gold, It must, however, be noted that the USA Weightlifting 1 silver), Latvia (2 bronze), Mongolia (1 bronze), New Federation, under the baton of President Ursula GARZA Zealand (2 silver),Turkmenistan (1 silver 2 bronze), PAPANDREA and CEO Phil ANDREWS were able to set Philippines (1 silver, 1 bronze) and the first gold the bar even higher with 2017 Anaheim. Especially with Imedals, three each, by Romania and Spain. The medal regard to the venue and the technical setup that again distribution showed an extraordinary variety: 23 nations contained some 21st Century innovations. The media shared the men’s and 22 the women’s medals, winning a coverage and the social media presence were soaring minimum of one each. and surely enhancing the sport’s appeal in key regions of Prior to the opening of the Championships Anaheim was the world. the site of epic decisions by the IWF among others about In any case, the USA has undoubtedly regained its due the submission to the IOC, the IWF Anti-Doping Policy, position in the Weightlifting Society of the world and the the 2020 Olympic Qualification and a position to review Federation’s efforts have already been rewarded by suc- the bodyweight categories. The successful Houston cess not only around but also on the platform. Thank you 2015 World Championships had set a benchmark in and congratulations, USA Weightlifting and Anaheim!

IWF appreciation to USA Weightlifting: presented by Dr. Tamás Aján, President and Mohammed Jalood, General Secretary to USAW President Ursula Garza Papandrea

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 5 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

56KG – SIX MEDALS FOR VIETNAM

urprises were hinted at in the introduction: well, the first one came right at the first competition of the opening day. Who thought prior to the start of the 56kg that Italy’s double European Schampion, SCARANTINO Mirco would almost immediately be forced to leave the stage? The 22-year old Italian missed each of his three attempts at 114kg making zero in snatch. In contrast, however, TCHACH Kim Tuan did not surprise anyone by collecting all the three gold medals: the snatch’s easily, the clean and jerk’s with a bit more effort, finally outscoring the runner-up by nine kilos in total. This runner-up was another Viet- namese: Rio Olympic fifth TRAN Quoc Toan. Born in 1994, Youth Olympic champion in 2010,

BRACHI GARCIA Josue, ESP

THACH Kim Tuan, VIE

1 THACH KIM TUAN 15.01.1994 VIE 55.88 126 153 279

2 TRAN LE QUOC TOAN 05.04.1989 VIE 55.68 119 151 270

3 MINGMOON WITOON 10.02.1996 THA 55.82 115 152 267

4 BERNA GONZALEZ CARLOS ANDRES 21.01.1990 COL 55.92 117 149 266

5 BRACHI GARCIA JOSUE 08.09.1992 ESP 55.84 118 140 258

6 ALSALEEM SERAJ ABDULRAHIM M 10.02.1996 KSA 55.93 112 138 250

7 ROJAS CONCHA MARCOS ANTONIO 02.06.1995 PER 55.66 103 137 240

8 TULO MANUELI 25.03.1990 FIJ 55.77 103 135 238

9 REISENAUER BRIAN JAMES 25.10.1988 USA 55.95 105 127 232

6 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM MEN TRAN Le Quoc Toan, VIE

MONGMOON Witoon, THA

junior world champion in 2014 and silver medallist in 2014 and bronze medallist in 2015 at the World Championships, TCHACH looked to have “fully grown” to supremacy in Anaheim. As early as with an opening 123kg snatch he was the winner; and the next 126kg gave him a comfortable advantage (though missing 129kg). TCHACH won the clean and jerk with 153kg having only MINGMOON Witoon (THA) as his closest match. The Thai finished fifth in snatch but advanced to silver in C&J and bronze in total. Still, his total lagged that of TRAN, so Vietnam could celebrate double winners. One bronze in snatch went to Spanish BRACHI GARCIA Josue.

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 7 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

62KG – WORLD RECORD: EIGHT PEOPLE ON THE DAIS!

f we mentioned surprise in the 56kg, the 62kg was Lino became second with 167kg, VAZQUEZ MENDEZ sheer sensation; if not for the excellence of the Antonio landed in third place with his 165kg. The mix-up results but rather thanks to the volatility of the culminated in the total podium: the Colombian winner competition. This chequered race not free from was finally flanked by ITOKAZU Yoichi (JPN) in silver misses culminated in a very special denouement. medallist with 299kg and MISHVELIDZE Shota (GEO) in IA curio in the history of the sport: the nine available bronze medallist position with 298kg. medals were awarded to eight different athletes! In the snatch it all looked “normal”: Vietnam’s TRINH Van 1 MOSQUERA VALENCIA F. ANTONIO 01.04.1992 COL 61.85 130 170 300

Vinh won with 136kg, just one kilogram ahead of HAN 2 ITOKAZU YOICHI 24.05.1991 JPN 62.00 134 165 299 Myeongmok (KOR) and ERGASHEV Adkhamjon (UZB), 3 MISHVELIDZE SHOTA 18.10.1994 GEO 62.00 135 163 298 but it was a close finish because even fifth-placed Japanese ITOKAZU Yoichi had as much as 134kg. The 4 ERGASHEV ADKHAMJON 12.03.1999 UZB 61.85 135 157 292 overall winner-to- be, MOSQUERA VALENCIA Francisco 5 VAZQUEZ MENDEZ ANTONIO 12.08.1993 MEX 61.97 126 165 291 Antonio was placed merely seventh in snatch with his 6 MONTES GONGORA JOSE LINO 18.04.1989 MEX 61.99 122 167 289

130kg – a handicap proving easy for him to work off. The 7 HAN MYEONGMOK 01.02.1991 KOR 61.90 135 153 288 Colombian, silver medallist in 2015, won the clean and 8 TAKAO HIROAKI 02.01.1992 JPN 61.54 126 160 286 jerk with 170kg adding it up to a 300kg winning total. He was, however, going to be the only one collecting more 9 KAO CHAN-HUNG 03.10.1993 TPE 61.85 130 155 285 than one medal. TRINH bombed, HAN finished in 10th , 10* MINASIDIS DIMITRIS 29.04.1989 CYP 61.96 131 153 284 ERGASHEV in 8th place. At the same time, two Mexicans TRINH VAN VINH 17.12.1995 VIE 61.85 136 ------came up to trail MOSQUERA: MONTES GONGORA Jose

MOSQUERA VALENCIA Francisco Antonio, COL

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MISHVELIDZE Shota, GEO ITOKAZU Yoichi, JPN

A record eight medal winners on the podium!

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 9 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

69KG – WON WON

he main favourite of the 69kg was undoubtedly Africa’s star, BEN HNIA Karem. The Tunisian, however – maybe under the burden of great expectations – was incapable of excellence: missing Tall snatches he got eliminated from the race. He lost 145kg twice and a third, desperate attempt at 146kg also escaped him. Exactly the same must have been the situation with the home favourite, the American prodigy, 2016 and 2017 junior and youth world champion, CUMINGS JR Clarence. The 17- year old failed to shine as of the begin- ning, but in the first part struggled to 141kg in three good snatch lifts. The clean and jerk then proved that he was not ready to carry the big weight of responsibility: the home turf and the over-excitement of the local crowd were too much and he finished with zero… In contrast, Korean WON grabbed his chance taking the snatch gold with 148kg ahead of BUNSUK Tairat (THA) 147kg, and ZANNI Mirko (ITA) 144kg. Though on the clean and jerk podium WON was preceded by Uzbekistan’s YOQUBOV Doston 179kg/326kg, the Korean was happy to win the gold medal overall. In second place we found Thailand’s BUNSUK and a assiduous protagonist in the world scene, French KINGUE MATAM Bernardin Ledoux picked up the bronze medal in total.

1 WON JEONGSIK 09.12.1990 KOR 68.85 148 178 326

2 BUNSUK TAIRAT 11.01.1993 THA 68.73 147 174 321

3 KINGUE MATAM B. LEDOUX 20.05.1990 FRA 69.00 141 177 318

4 CALJA BRIKEN 19.02.1990 ALB 68.91 142 175 317

5 KONNAI MITSUNORI 14.03.1996 JPN 68.90 141 176 317

6 YOQUBOV DOSTON 05.04.1995 UZB 68.92 135 179 314

7 JOACHIM ROBERT FRIEDRICH 13.01.1987 GER 68.89 141 170 311

8 ZANNI MIRKO 16.10.1997 ITA 68.85 144 165 309

9 ALHUMAYD MAHMOUD M. S 05.09.1993 KSA 69.00 138 170 308 WON Jeongsik, KOR 10 SANCHEZ LOPEZ DAVID 20.07.1994 ESP 68.76 140 165 305

10 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

KINGUE MATAM Bernardin Ledoux, FRA BUNSUK Tairat, THA

A podium of five shared the medals

WON Jeongsik, KOR

YOQUBOV Doston, UZB

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 11 › INTERVIEW

FRANCISCO MOSQUERA VALENCIA

WW: What did the Anaheim World Championships mean for you? What did you expect from yourself in terms of placing or kilograms, and are you satisfied? FM: Although my own and my coach’s expectations cost me a lot of nerves, I trained and prepared a lot for the World Cham- pionships. In the end, I could be very calm concentrating at what I wanted and will do. But I’m willing to learn from every moment, for instance I now know how to give my best even if expectations are high. As Professor Oswaldo Pinilla taught me: you must go step by step to reach your goal. Regarding the result made in the competition, personally I wanted to do a little more. But yes, I am satisfied because I am recovering from a very tough injury which cost me Rio 2016. And winning the World Championships is some solace for the non-participation and for the whole work of 16 months.

“BEING WORLD CHAMPION IS SOME SOLACE FOR MISSING RIO”

WW: Did you miss the rivals from the countries not attending? Or would it have been better if all the strong rivals had been there? FM: Yes, of course the countries were missed who were not present. However, the World Championships in Anaheim was still great despite the fact that they were not there. It’s because it was very clean where the real human work was seen. Now, the countries which had been ousted by others not lifting clean finally had their reward for the work and for their fair play. WW: What happened after the World Championships? Did you get WW: Did you receive any award or recognition for your success a celebration? Did you rest, or have fun? from your Government? FM: I was euphoric and very emotional to be World Champion. I FM: Yes, I received some prize money from the National thank God for this and I thank to all the people who were with me. “Coldeporte” and from the Bolivar Government. Firstly I celebrated it with God, after with Professor Pinilla who is a visionary and a tireless person who is always ready with good ad- WW: What are your expectations from 2018 as a weightlifter and vice also for life. The Professor is the best of the best for me. I also as a private person? What would make you most happy? celebrated with my mother, wife and son and with all the Colum- FM: In this year of 2018 I hope to continue to be blessed by God bians who supported me. I live well, fighting for my dreams day by allowing me to train well in good health and with the same good day. Outside the gym I dedicate my life to my family and sometimes people. I also hope I can continue my university studies and spend I allow myself to relax playing Play Station4. time with my family.

12 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 13 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

77KG – RIO BRONZE CHANGED FOR GOLD IN ANAHEIM

ack in 2016, with his bronze medal on the Rio de Janeiro podium MAHMOUD MAHMOUD Mohamed Ihab Youssef Ahmed, EGY Mohamed Ihab Youssef Ahmed wrote history: since 1948 he was the first Egyptian weightlifter to win an Olympic Bmedal. Well, in Anaheim he marched even further and stepped on the top of the World Championships podium, having confidently swept in all the gold medals in the 77kg category. At the same time he can boast being the first African world champion weightlifter since 1984. In total MAHMOUD finished in the top position with 361kg, lifting nine kilos more than Turkmen REJEPOV Rejepbay and 13kg on USA’s MAURUS Harrison James.

REJEPOV Rejepbay, TKM with the 4,000th medal

14 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

t the same time, 17-year old youth world 1 MAHMOUD M. IHAB Y. AHMED 21.11.1989 EGY 76.56 165 196 361 champion MAURUS also made an entry in 2 REJEPOV REJEPBAY 23.02.1992 TKM 76.99 158 194 352 the US Album of Fame: since 1997, that is 3 MAURUS HARRISON JAMES 26.02.2000 USA 76.42 155 193 348 after two decades of draught, he is the first US male lifter to score a world champion- 4 KIM WOO JAE 26.09.1991 KOR 76.85 154 192 346 Aship medal. Besides, MAURUS set a new youth world 5 MATA PEREZ A. EDUARDO 11.11.1992 ESP 76.86 154 190 344 record in clean and jerk with 193kg. MAHMOUD (28) 6 QERIMAJ ERKAND 10.08.1988 ALB 76.72 155 187 342

snatched 165kg, a considerable lead on silver medallist 7 KIM KWANGHOON 31.01.1982 KOR 76.94 150 192 342 REJEPOV’s 158kg. In third place (before stepping down 8 CAICEDO PIEDRAHITA A. M. 15.08.1997 COL 76.25 148 192 340 due to injury in the jerk), Romanian CAPTARI Dumitru landed with 156kg, however, he returned a positive 9 LOBSI PORNCHAI 16.07.1990 THA 76.81 151 188 339 doping test so the originally fourth Albanian QERIMAJ 10 RODALLEGAS C.BRAYAN S. 15.11.1997 COL 76.92 150 187 337 Erkand will move up to bronze medal position (155kg). The medal ceremony included an interesting mark in weightlifting history: the silver medal in snatch was the 4,000th world championships medal in history and it went to Turkmenistan’s REJEPOV!

QERIMAJ Erkand, ALB MAURUS Harrison James, USA

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 15 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

85KG - CHILE SCORES FIRST WWC MEDALS

ne might wonder what would have happened if Iran’s superstar, world record holder (220kg MENDEZ PEREZ Arley, CHI in C&J, 396kg in Total) ROSTAMI Kianoush had not had an injured knee gravely hampering his performance. Even so, struggling, he managed Oto clinch a silver in snatch. In clean and jerk, however, he was overwhelmed by the weight and by the bad knee… and the double world and Rio’s Olympic champion had to leave the stage after three failed attempts. He thus paved the way for MENDEZ PEREZ Arley of Chile who shone in 85kg. MENDEZ had been a Cuban lifter and made this comeback after a break of four years under Chile’s flag. In snatch he defeated ROSTAMI by 1kg (175kg) and the bronze medal was awarded to last year’ European champion PIZZOLATO Antonio from Italy (162kg). The clean and jerk only saw MENDEZ become even stronger and more confident. 23 years of age, former Pan- American junior champion for Cuba (2013) and junior world championships bronze medallist, MENDEZ did not stop before finishing with 203kg and a total of 378kg. Before Anaheim, Chile had never won any senior medals in world championships; now the South- American country could boast three at once, all in gold, thanks to this outstanding lifter who had acquired Chilean citizenship last year. In second place for both clean and jerk and total we saw Poland’s ZWARYCZ Krzysztof Maciej, whereby Frenchman IMADOUCEINE Romain Jordan S. captured a surprise bronze in clean and jerk. In the colourful setup of the medal allocations PIZZOLATO Antonio was happy to be given the bronze in total for his 358kg output.

1 MENDEZ PEREZ ARLEY 31.12.1993 CHI 84.99 175 203 378

2 ZWARYCZ KRZYSZTOF MACIEJ 13.12.1990 POL 84.76 162 197 359

3 PIZZOLATO ANTONINO 20.08.1996 ITA 84.95 162 196 358

4 YU DONGJU 19.08.1993 KOR 84.77 158 194 352

5 DAVITADZE REVAZ 16.10.1998 GEO 84.50 160 191 351

6 IMADOUCEINE R. J. SEBASTIAN 05.09.1995 FRA 84.90 153 196 349

7 MIRI ALI 01.08.1995 IRI 84.92 155 193 348

8 SCHWARZBACH TOM 23.07.1986 GER 84.74 151 190 341

9 RAGALA VENKAT RAHUL 16.03.1997 IND 84.93 150 191 341

10 YAMAMOTO TOSHIKI 08.09.1991 JPN 84.94 148 193 341

ROSTAMI KIANOUSH 23.07.1991 IRI 84.34 174 -- --

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MENDEZ PEREZ Arley, CHI

Happy podium in 85kg

ARLEY MENDEZ

WW: What did the Anaheim World Championships mean for you? What did you expect from yourself in terms of placing or kilograms, and are you satisfied? “2018: DEFEND THE TITLE AM: It was like a dream coming true; I have been working for years for this chance and now I achieved everything planned. I AND BREAK THE RECORD” am even satisfied with my snatch result but not so much with the clean and jerk where I wanted to break a record. However, all in all, it’s great. WW: Did you miss the rivals from the countries not attending? Or would it have been better if all the strong rivals had been WW: Did you receive any award or recognition for your success? there? AM: It must be said that it was not my success alone. Like AM: I understand that the missing countries could not participate the medals by Maria Fernanda, mine are also the result of as they were sanctioned: that I find perfectly correct. Maybe, if systematic long-term preparation fully supported by the Chilean the competition had been stronger with them there, I would have Weightlifting Federation which has an ambitious development had to give even more to win but on the other hand we should not program for us to benefit from. In addition to the appreciation of overlook the doping control factor. the Federation, the journalists in Chile voted me Athlete of the WW: What happened after the World Championships? Did you Year 2017. get a celebration? Did you rest, or have fun? WW: What are your expectations from 2018? AM: After the Championships I got one month holiday which AM: My expectations for 2018 need a lot of work to do as many I enjoyed tremendously but now I’m already back to training. events are ahead and this is the first full year I can compete for We have new goals set with my coach and I’m working hard to Chile. I want to defend the world champion title and break the achieve them. world record this time.

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 17 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

94KG – MORADI: HAT TRICK AND WORLD RECORDS

e arrived in Anaheim as the unques- World Record 233kg by MORADI Sohrab, IRI tioned favourite in 94kg – and duly left with a full collection of gold medals, plus world records. King of the 94kg, 29-year old MORADI Sohrab of Iran Hreconfirmed his supremacy and defended his throne. No surprises in this category on the Anaheim stage…. if not in the aftermath when it came to light that Lithuanian DIDZBALIS Aurimas failed at the doping control and most probably (the process still ongoing) he will have to say goodbye to the medals he won in the 2017 WWC, i.e. bronze in snatch and silver in total. The first one is to be “inherited” by ABDALLA Ragab Abdelhay Saad (EGY) and the latter by MOUSAVIJARAHI Seyedayoob (IRI). Qatar’s ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim might be promoted to bronze medallist position in total. In snatch, junior world champion Uzbek SOBIROV Farkhodbek (183kg), who got injured and eliminated in clean and jerk became runner-up to MORADI who lifted the necessary 184kg to win. In the second act the Iranian switched into fifth gear and secured the victory with 220kg, only to jump to 233kg in the second attempt. That being successful, MORADI registered a new world record obliterating an “oldie” by Polish KOLECKI Szymon dated 29 April 2000. At one blow he set another world record: 417kg in total making it really unnecessary for him to reappear to take a third lift.

1 MORADI SOHRAB 22.09.1988 IRI 94.00 184 233 417

2* DIDZBALIS AURIMAS 13.06.1991 LTU 93.56 176 212 388

3 MOUSAVIJARAHI SEYEDAYOOB 21.04.1995 IRI 93.79 171 214 385

4 ELBAKH FARES IBRAHIM E. H. 04.06.1998 QAT 92.77 163 220 383

5 ABDALLA RAGAB A. SAAD A. 04.03.1991 EGY 93.91 172 206 378

6 SANTAVY BOADY ROBERT 22.05.1997 CAN 92.04 165 201 366

7 GREGORIO M. MARCO TULIO 03.11.1991 BRA 93.56 165 195 360

8 DAMRON NATHAN CHARLES 06.05.1996 USA 93.14 157 201 358

9 SHIKOV GEORGI STOILOV 21.05.1993 BUL 94.00 164 191 355

10 MUGURDUMOV ARTUR 06.06.1988 ISR 93.54 158 195 353

11 SERNA M. ANDRES FELIPE 15.11.1997 COL 90.01 160 192 352

SOBIROV FARKHODBEK 10.09.1997 UZB 92.89 183 -- --

18 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

MOUSAVIJARAHI Seyedayoob, IRI SOBIROV Farkhodbek, UZB

ELBAKH Fares Ibrahim E.H., QAT

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 19 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

105KG – FIRST IRANIAN TO WIN THIS CATEGORY

ran could go on celebrating as after the 94kg they for a 222kg output. Overall he became 4th. PLESNIEKS managed to win the 105kg as well. True though exposed a more balanced performance: 180kg and 4th that HASHEMI Ali’s victory was born in a far more position in snatch, followed by 222kg (same as SEO’s) difficult race than MORADI’s in the previous class. in clean and jerk and silver medallist; altogether 402kg The narrow span of merely five kilograms between and another silver medal in total. Although HASHEMI Ithe total results of the medal winners palpably reveals missed one attempt on 221kg he managed to lift it in a how close the fight was. Ultimately, HASHEMI won with correction and took the bronze in jerk. However, most 404kg, silver medallist PLESNIEKS Arturs, Latvian 2016 importantly, his was the overall victory giving Iran its European Champion scored 402kg and the bronze medal first world champion in the 105kg and its second in a winning EFREMOV Ivan (UZB) had 399kg overall. The row. snatch was dominated by the Iranian (183kg) with the Uzbek producing 182kg for a second place. The bronze went to Ecuador’s ARROYO VALDEZ Jorge David (181kg) who, on his turn, finished only 20th (!) in clean and jerk. A reverse path was covered by Korean SEO Huiyeop, who was weak in snatch (172kg, 14th place) but cata- pulted to the world champion position in clean and jerk

EFREMOV Ivan, UZB HASHEMI Ali, IRI

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SEO Huiyeop, KOR

1 HASHEMI ALI 01.11.1991 IRI 104.55 183 221 404

2 PLESNIEKS ARTURS 21.01.1992 LAT 104.78 180 222 402

3 EFREMOV IVAN 09.03.1986 UZB 103.77 182 217 399

4 SEO HUIYEOP 29.02.1992 KOR 104.78 172 222 394

5 MICHALSKI ARKADIUSZ 07.01.1990 POL 104.96 173 220 393

6 GOSPODINOV VASIL GEORGIEV 05.11.1993 BUL 104.05 178 214 392

7 SOLEYMANI ALIREZA 17.02.1996 IRI 104.65 177 215 392

8 RUIZ I VELASCO MARCOS 13.10.1996 ESP 104.60 180 211 391

9 JIN YUNSEONG 11.10.1995 KOR 101.41 180 207 387

10 KITTS WESLEY BRIAN 22.05.1990 USA 104.49 176 210 386

PLESNIEKS Arturs, LAT

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 21 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

+105KG – TALAKHADZE ROSE TO – AND ABOVE – THE OCCASION

he expected close duel in the Battle of lifting amidst, and undisturbed by, the unsportsman- Giants though failed to materialize; the final like behaviour of Iranian fans. His triumphant march competition in Anaheim was not with- was eyed from a distance by the rest of the field. For out excitement this time either. Georgian instance, SEIM Mart from Estonia who must also be Olympic, world and European champion commended for his 253kg worth a silver medal in TTALAKHADZE Lasha defended his title with a splendid jerk. TALAKHADZE overwhelmed in total with 23kg on performance including six on six attempts and two ALIHOSSEINI and 24kg on SALIMIKORDASIABI, the new world records – in snatch and total. The Geor- superstar of the not-too- distant past. gian superheavy superman put on a one-man show already in the snatch. After 210 and 215kg asking for Snatch world record 220kg: TALAKHADZE Lasha, GEO 220kg – and in what was an example for super strength and super technique lifted the biggest weight ever snatched. In fact, he added 3 kilos to his own previous world record. Neither one of both Iranians, heralded as his fiercest rivals, were able to even come close to this performance: SALIMIKORDASIABI Behdad finished the snatch with 211kg, and ALIHOSSEINI Saeid, former junior world champion, had to be content with 203kg. In clean and jerk, TALAKHADZE did not push for the record, after 243 and 250 finished with an – otherwise highly respectable – 257kg. Nevertheless, his total had already soared into historic heights: 477kg, an amazing new world record. He thus improved his own record of 473kg dating 26 August 2016, i.e. the Olympic Games in Rio. Similarly to the situation at the Games, the Georgian once again displayed extraordinary focus and great sportsmanship when putting on the epic

1 TALAKHADZE LASHA 02.10.1993 GEO 166.00 220 257 477

2 ALIHOSSEINI SAEID 02.02.1988 IRI 169.31 203 251 454

3 SALIMIKORDASIABI BEHDAD 08.12.1989 IRI 173.68 211 242 453

4 DJANGABAEV RUSTAM 25.08.1993 UZB 150.34 200 247 447

5 SEIM MART 24.10.1990 EST 158.36 191 253 444

6 SARAIVA REIS FERNANDO 10.03.1990 BRA 152.33 200 240 440

7 ORSAG JIRI 05.01.1989 CZE 131.37 185 237 422

8 BIDANI WALID 11.06.1994 ALG 137.67 195 225 420

9 TOYCHYYEV HOJAMUHAMMET 16.01.1992 TKM 143.97 184 231 415

10 NAGY PETER 16.01.1986 HUN 156.60 188 226 414

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ALIHOSSEINI Saeid, IRI SEIM Mart, EST

The +105kg medal winners with the presenters: Kakhi Kakhiashvili, 3-times Olympic Champion, the IWF President and Pedro Meloni, Competition Director

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 23 › INTERVIEW

LASHA TALAKHADZE

WW: What happened after the World Championships? Did you get a celebration? Did you rest, or have fun? LT: Oh, I had a nice three weeks of relaxing with family and friends. You know – the “Georgian way”… WW: Did you receive any award or recognition for your success from your Government? LT: I received some cash, the “Best Athlete of 2017” title and priceless appreciation and love from the people of Georgia. WW: What are your expectations from 2018 as a weightlifter and as a private person? What would make you most happy? LT: I am planning to defend my title first as European, then as World Champion. Besides, I want to add a few kilos to my best results – something that always makes me and my family proud and happy.

“IN 2018 I WANT TO DEFEND MY TITLES AND ADD A FEW KILOS MORE TO MY BEST”

WW: What did the Anaheim World Championships mean for you? What did you expect from yourself in terms of placing or kilograms, and are you satisfied? LT: I had to defend my title: it was one of the most important milestones in my entire career. Actually, I did expect to win the gold medal, because I was really ready. 220kg in snatch was fine but I wanted to go for 265kg in the clean and jerk as well. However, I did what I did and I am quite happy with the result. WW: Did you miss the rivals from the countries not attending? Or would it have been better if all the strong rivals had been there? LT: Actually, this question in my category is not too relevant because I did have my main challengers around who are extremely competent athletes. But in general – yes, I always prefer to have a decent fight; that inspires me. Nevertheless, luckily I can manage – like this time – to concentrate on the task, to do my best and then only the weights on the bar become my rivals.

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CHANU SAIKHOM MIRABAI

WW: What did the Anaheim World Championships tition and my next goal is to compete alongside those mean for you? What did you expect from yourself in rivals who were not there this time, and still reconfirm terms of placing or kilograms, and are you satisfied? my champion status. That would make me really proud CM: To become world champion is the ultimate dream of myself. Besides lifting, I have another project: I am for any weightlifter and I am lucky enough to get this supporting amateur athletes of my country as a medi- after the failure in Rio Olympic 2016. (She made zero ator and help them fulfil their dreams. in clean and jerk – the Editor.) With the guidance of my coach Mr. Vijay Sharma I have selected a long-term target and this world championship gold medal is a part of that target, so I hope I’ll have it achieved very “I WANT TO RECONFIRM MY soon. WW: Did you miss the rivals from the countries not CHAMPION STATUS WITH attending? Or would it have been better if all the strong rivals had been there? ALL RIVALS PRESENT” CM: It is quite difficult to say whether the opponent who doesn’t attend the competition would have been better compared to those who are there. But yes, some of my rivals who were now absent had clearly been dominant in the game so I would have been happiest to become world champion in their presence. WW: What happened after the World Champion- ships? Did you get a celebration? Did you rest, or have fun? CM: After the World Championships I received a warm welcome by our Government and the Indian Weightlifting fraternity. But as I told you this is only a station on the road to my ultimate target so there’s no time to rest. Practically next day I started training with my coach. WW: Did you receive any award or recognition for your success from your Government? CM: Yes, I got cash reward from the Indian Govern- ment, my employer, the Indian Railways, my State and I was also honoured to receive one of the most precious Indian awards, i.e. Padam Shree. WW: What are your expectations from 2018 as a weightlifter and as a private person? What would make you most happy? CM: As a weightlifter I look forward to the next compe-

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 25 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM WOMEN 48KG – MIRABAI BRAVURA: INDIA MEDALS AGAIN AFTER 22 YEARS

f we mentioned surprises by the men, the MIRABAI Chanu Saikhom, IND ladies of Anaheim surprised us on no less occasions, like, for instance, immediately in the first ca-tegory. Odds in 48kg pointed indis- putably at the success of the Thai contender, Ieven so that the Olympic champion of the category, Sopita Tanasan had left the 48kg for the sake of the next class. Her “substitute” from Thailand, SUKCHAROEN Thunya (20) counted at least as much as a top favourite as her more famous com- patriot and she duly proved the estimations right in the snatch. Junior world champion equally in 2016 and 2017, SUKCHAROEN took the gold with 86kg – true that it was just one kilo better than 23- year old Indian MIRABAI Chanu Saikhom’s result. Apart from having won the 2017 Commonwealth Championships, the Indian had not registered any particularly outstanding results before coming to Anaheim. In clean and jerk came the surprise: SUKCHAROEN lifted 105 and 107kg but failed at 109kg, whereas MIRABAI progressed successfully with 103, 107 and even 109kg – that one giving her not only the clean and jerk gold but the one in total as well. 194kg is a personal best for the Indian and 1kg more than the Thai’s. With MIRABAI India celebrated its first world champion since 1995. The bronze medal went to SEGURA SEGURA Ana Iris from Colombia.

1 MIRABAI CHANU SAIKHOM 08.08.1994 IND 47.98 85 109 194

2 SUKCHAROEN THUNYA 21.04.1997 THA 47.58 86 107 193

3 SEGURA SEGURA ANA IRIS 26.07.1991 COL 47.95 81 101 182

4 VUONG THI HUYEN 22.06.1992 VIE 47.93 80 100 180

5 NANTHAWONG CHIRAPHAN 17.08.1999 THA 47.76 77 102 179

6 ANDRIES ELENA RAMONA 21.09.1994 ROU 47.66 79 98 177

7 RITCHEY ALYSSA LYNN 14.04.1989 USA 47.97 78 99 177

8 MICHEL ANAIS 12.01.1988 FRA 47.73 78 97 175

9 VALENCIA H. CAROLINA 08.02.1985 MEX 47.90 75 95 170

10 YANAGIDA MIZUKI 05.09.1992 JPN 47.83 74 95 169

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SUKCHAROEN Thunya, THA NANTHAWONG Chiraphan, THA

MIRABAI Chanu Saikhom, IND

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 27

SEGURA SEGURA Ana Iris, COL › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

53KG – OLYMPIC CHAMPION DEFEATS OLYMPIC CHAMPION

ANASAN Sopita does TANASAN Sopita, THA not have to regret having moved up into the next category. Following her gold medal won at the Rio 2016 TOlympic Games in 48kg, she proved to be unbeatable in Anaheim in the 53kg as well. To be triumphant again she needed to defeat another Olympic champion, and a very prominent one at that. HSU Shu-Ching from Tai- wan, gold medal winner in both 2012 London and 2016 Rio, plus junior and senior world champion, etc. must also have been determined to retain supremacy over the 53kg. TANASAN, however, was not intimidated: in snatch she gained a 3kg advantage on HSU who struggled but completed her two opening lifts before getting injured on her third snatch and having to abandon the stage for good. HSU Shu-Ching was to be the only woman attempting to defend her title but she was unsuccessful. She left Thailand’s Olympic champion with two other rivals whom she very quickly eliminated from the race for the total gold by a first clean and jerk of 114kg. It should be noted that in this second part DIAZ Hidilyn of the Philippines preceded SHERMETOVA Kristina (TKM) with 113kg to both, but on the overall the Turkmen com- petitor secured a convincing runner- up position with 204kg. Nevertheless, the Philippines were overjoyed with their total bronze medal. Unfor- tunately, this category also has an aftermath: KAEWKHONG Supattra of Thailand, originally fifth in snatch, fourth in clean and jerk and total, had a positive doping test and proceed- ings against her are now ongoing.

28 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

1 TANASAN SOPITA 23.12.1994 THA 52.70 96 114 210

2 SHERMETOVA KRISTINA 25.05.1993 TKM 52.95 91 113 204

3 DIAZ HIDILYN 20.02.1991 PHI 52.94 86 113 199

4* KAEWKHONG SUPATTRA 11.03.1996 THA 52.56 87 111 198

5 LOCHOWSKA JOANNA 17.11.1988 POL 52.81 87 111 198

6 YAGI KANAE 16.07.1992 JPN 52.66 85 110 195

7 HOGAN CAITLIN LEIGH 22.05.1988 USA 52.58 83 111 194

8 LOPEZ FERRER ANA GABRIELA 22.09.1994 MEX 52.94 83 101 184

9 LAURINDO MORAES L. CRISTINA 20.11.1995 BRA 52.94 80 103 183

10 HERNANDEZ MARTIN ATENERY 10.12.1994 ESP 52.59 80 103 183

LOCHOWSKA Joanna, POL SHERMETOVA Kristina, TKM

DIAZ Hidilyn, PHI

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 29 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

58KG – TAIWAN 1 – 1 THAILAND

he Taiwan vs. Thailand match went on in the still just 19 years old KOHA Rebeka of Latvia. Japanese 58kg, but finished with a reverse result. Here, ANDOH Mikiko was glad to score silver in clean and jerk, the overall gold medal was finally awarded while Ecuador’s ESCOBAR GUERRERO Maria Alexandra to former (2013) world champion, 2015 world, clinched a bronze with 22kg in jerk – highly notable for 2016 Olympic bronze medal winner and Univer- this woman at 37 years of age and thus one of the seniors Tsiade champion KUO Hsing-Chun whose output was 15kg in the female field. over the Olympic champion SRISURAT Sukanya’s. At the outset their duel failed to forecast joy for KUO; SRISURAT KUO Hsing-Chun, TPE was namely triumphant in the snatch with 105kg ahead of the Chinese Taipei lifter whose result was the same. The latter, however, is known to be a specialist in clean and jerk (having fixed the world record in August at 142kg) and she was shining accordingly in the second half. After a safety of 126kg she became the champion with the second lift on 131kg, yet she wanted to round off her act with a nice 135kg only to reconfirm the two gold medals won. With her victory KUO Hsing-Chun entered the weightlifting annals with a notable statistical fact: her total gold was the 1,800th medal for women at world championships. SRISURAT fell back considerably in clean and jerk finishing sixth with 120kg, yet her 225kg total was enough to keep the silver medal. The bronze was captured by

1 KUO HSING-CHUN 26.11.1993 TPE 57.60 105 135 240

2 SRISURAT SUKANYA 03.05.1995 THA 56.42 105 120 225

3 KOHA REBEKA 19.05.1998 LAT 57.55 101 121 222

4 ANDOH MIKIKO 30.09.1992 JPN 57.87 93 126 219

5 ESCOBAR G. MARIA ALEXANDRA 17.07.1980 ECU 57.64 96 122 218

6 GUICHO RECIO QUISIA YANELI 12.09.1987 MEX 57.81 91 121 212

7 LOBON VIAFARA MARIA CAMILA 30.09.1995 COL 57.90 95 112 207

8 VELI EVAGJELIA 16.07.1991 ALB 56.90 90 113 203

9 DARSIGNY TALI 08.03.1998 CAN 57.76 87 109 196

10 HELGADOTTIR THURIDUR ERLA 30.07.1991 ISL 57.65 86 108 194

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Medal podium in 58kg – KUO won 1,800th women’s medal

ESCOBAR GUERRERO Maria Alexandra, ECU SRISURAT Sukanya, THA

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 31 › INTERVIEW

KUO HSING-CHUN

WW: What did the Anaheim World Championships mean for you? WW: Did you What did you expect from yourself in terms of placing or kilograms, receive any award and are you satisfied? or recognition for KHC: Following the 2017 Summer Universiade in my home country, your success from your I was invited to attend many events. Then I had another big com- Government? petition, the Taiwan National Games in October. That was followed KHC: I received so many con- by the pre-game training in Los Angeles for a month before I finally gratulations and a lot of encouraging messages arrived in Anaheim to the 2017 World Championships. So, I felt kind from the people who keep supporting me (Kuo of a fatigue both physically and mentally. But I still had a strong mind Fan Club) and coming with me around the world to win the gold medal in Anaheim as I wanted to prove that I’ve fully wherever I go. I also got the “Guo Guang Athletic recovered from the serious injury in 2014. My goal was to snatch 103- Medals and Scholarships” from the Chinese 105kg, clean and jerk 133-135kg. The only problem was that my knee Taipei Government. To top it all off, I became the didn’t feel good before the competition and I was afraid not to be able Best Female Athlete of the Year. That was to make that performance and fulfil my own expectations. Finally, I indeed very rewarding for my efforts. did the 105 and 135kg, 240kg in total – that’s not too bad. WW: What are your expectations WW: Did you miss the rivals from the countries not attending? Or from 2018 as a weightlifter and as would it have been better if all the strong rivals had been there? a private person? What would make KHC: I can only say that I felt sorry for those lifters who couldn’t you most happy? compete at the 2017 Anaheim World Championships. KHC: I wish my family, fans, everyone WW: What happened after the World Championships? Did you get a and myself a peaceful, joyful, healthy year! Of celebration? Did you rest, or have fun? course, the target is first to recover, then get KHC: After the event I was again invited to participate in a lot of differ- ready to train for the next events. I hope ent activities. By the end of the year I was really tired. I even became everything will work out well. ill, so I had to take a break and now I’m having a rest. LEIDY YESSENIA SOLIS ARBOLEDA

WW: What did the Anaheim World Championships mean for LA: In the last month of the year I had to take part in a num- you? What did you expect from yourself in terms of ber of events in Colombia.Outside the gym I dedicate myself placing or kilograms, and are you satisfied? to consolidating my personal projects that include LA: The World Championships in Anaheim social work with less favoured children of the city represented a great challenge, an opportunity and where I live, Tuluá. When I take breaks I share time also an illusion. In the end it ratified that all my efforts and celebrate with family, especially with my son – were worthwhile. I am happy and satisfied that’s my best motivation for 2018. with the title obtained, but of course in the WW: Did you receive any award or future I want to give even more. recognition for your success WW: Did you miss the rivals from your Government? from the countries not attending? LA: Yes, we received incentives, Or would it have been better if all the among them from the IDRE of Bogotá and strong rivals had been there? Coldeportes Nacional. I am grateful for the LA: It’s not a question of missing or not, but recognition and I consider it a valuable contribu- it’s important to promote “Fair Play”, athletes tion for athletes to pursue their life projects. who respect the rules and use their talent and WW: What are your expectations from 2018 as a effort to achieve their goals. My commitment weightlifter and as a private person? What would was to have success and I fulfilled that goal with make you most happy? the world title. LA: Getting better and getting further, striving to defend WW: What happened after the World the world title. I wish to contribute to the welfare of Championships? Did you get a celebration? my country both through sporting triumphs and social Did you rest, or have fun? activities.

32 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 33 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

63KG – EPIC GOLDS FOR ROMANIA

n the context of the World Championships Euro- After 103 and 106kg she went for 109kg and lifted it, pean medals were rather scarce, but among the giving her 7 kilograms of lead on Canadian few won those to be thanked to Romanian TOMA CHARRON Maude, and 8kg on one of the Colombians, Loredana-Elena in the 63kg were undoubtedly the RIVA ORDONEZ Lina Marcela. The Romanian did most significant so far. This 22-year old lifter seized not have a mercy on them in clean and jerk either: Ithe occasion arising from the absence of the big shots she reached 128kg, with the next best WAMALUN and achieved a personal best by pocketing all the three Rattanawan (THA) making 127kg and bronze medallist available gold medals. Before Anaheim, Romania did not RIVAS lifting 124kg. The aggregate of those excellent have any women’s medals; now they have three at once. results put TOMA in an even more dominant posi- Last year’s European champion TOMA set the solid foun- tion: 237kg against the next best 225kg totals achieved dations of her ultimate victory as early as in the snatch. equally by RIVAS, PEREZ and WAMALUN.

A podium of five shared the medals in 63kg

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PEREZ TIGRERO Mercedes Isabel, COL 1 TOMA LOREDANA-ELENA 10.05.1995 ROU 62.87 109 128 237

2 RIVAS ORDONEZ LINA MARCELA 24.04.1990 COL 62.51 101 124 225

3 PEREZ TIGRERO M. ISABEL 07.08.1987 COL 62.69 101 124 225

4 WAMALUN RATTANAWAN 15.07.1995 THA 62.63 98 127 225

5 CHARRON MAUDE G 28.04.1993 CAN 62.72 102 122 224

6 DAVIES SARAH 19.08.1992 GBR 62.84 88 121 209

7 ALEMANNO MARIA GRAZIA 02.09.1990 ITA 62.13 95 113 208

8 CHIANG NIEN-HSIN 29.04.1997 TPE 60.80 90 118 208

9 YOSHIDA AKANE 31.05.1994 JPN 61.86 92 115 207

10 FATTOUH MAHASSEN HALA 27.08.1989 LBN 62.80 91 113 204

TOMA Loredana-Elena, ROU

RIVAS ORDONEZ Lina Marcela, COL

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 35 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

SOLIS ARBOLEDA Leidy Yessenia, COL 69KG – ALBANIA IN JOY – THEN IN DESPAIR

here is no exaggeration in stating that one ARBOLEDA Leidy Yessenia, Rio’s fourth. 104kg in snatch of the most dramatic episodes of the 2017 and 135kg in clean and jerk added up to a result that Anaheim World Championships was writ- was the best in the category. Egypt’s favourite AHMED ten in the women’s 69kg where the role of Sara Samir Elsayed Mohamed made a surprising zero the negative heroine was played by Albanian in the snatch but consoled herself with a gold medal in TBEGAJ Romela. Having served a doping suspension for clean and jerk for her 136kg. Much to the joy of the hosts, an ADRV in 2014, she made a smashing comeback to the the three bronze medals were picked up by US lifter top ranks of the world in Anaheim: with 107kg she won ROGERS Martha Ann for her balanced performance. the snatch and despite finishing only th5 in clean and jerk ROGERS marked history in the United States: since 2005 with 128kg, it was sufficient for her to secure the silver she is the first woman to capture World Championships medal in total. Better to say she could not secure that medals. And these bronzes may even become silver for long: once again in Anaheim she returned an adverse medals once BEGAJ’s procedures are concluded. The analytical finding and is now facing disqualification and a same process might then turn the silver medal won in sanction. Meanwhile, the overall world champion title in snatch by Colombian MENDOZA CARABALI Miyareth the category was earned with 239kg by Colombian SOLIS into gold and give her a bronze in total…

MENDOZA CARABALI Miyareth, COL ROGERS Martha Ann, USA

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1 SOLIS ARBOLEDA L. YESSENIA 17.02.1990 COL 68.89 104 135 239 SOLIS ARBOLEDA Leidy Yessenia, COL 2* BEGAJ ROMELA 02.11.1986 ALB 68.96 107 128 235

3 ROGERS MARTHA ANN 23.08.1995 USA 68.28 104 131 235

4 MENDOZA CARABALI MIYARETH 06.04.1994 COL 68.39 106 127 233

5 TORRES WONG ANACARMEN 27.11.1995 MEX 68.85 99 128 227

6 HUNG WAN-TING 21.06.1990 TPE 68.79 100 125 225

7 BORDIGNON GIORGIA 24.05.1987 ITA 64.43 100 122 222

8 STRENIUS PATRICIA CAROLINE 23.11.1989 SWE 68.72 94 127 221

9 YADAV PUNAM 09.07.1995 IND 68.99 98 120 218

10 PALACIOS DAJOMES A. PAOLA 12.09.2000 ECU 25051 95 120 215

11 NGUYEN THI VAN 16.12.1998 VIE 68.90 93 120 213

AHMED SARA S. E. MOHAMED 01.01.1998 EGY 68.49 -- 136

AHMED Sara Samir Elsayed Mohamed, EGY

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 37 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

75KG – LIDIA VALENTIN: THREE GOLD MEDALS AT ONE BLOW!

ike two categories ago TOMA did for Romania, in the 75kg VALENTIN PEREZ Lidia gifted her country, Spain, with their first world championships gold medal – and did the hat trick as well. All the time smiling after her attempts, Spain’s Ldarling swept the competition in six on six good lifts. First in snatch: 110 and 115kg followed by an equally strong 118kg; then in the clean and jerk she entertained the audience with 130, 135 and 140kg, each splendidly performed. Her supremacy was simply overpowering. At 32, younger than ever, VALENTIN added the world championships gold medals hitherto missing from her colourful collection that includes 3 Olympic medals each of different colour and three European titles. Trailing her, competition was close between several medal contenders.

DAJOMES BARRERA Neisi Patricia, ECU VALENTIN PEREZ Lidia, ESP

A historic first 90kg Junior World Champion: PENG Lina, CHN

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1 VALENTIN PEREZ LIDIA 10.02.1985 ESP 74.57 118 140 258 n this special “numismatic” contest 19-year old Ecuadorian DAJOMES BARRERA Neisi Patricia 2 DAJOMES BARRERA N. PATRICIA 12.05.1998 ECU 74.84 108 132 240 emerged most successful, capturing silver in 3 NAYO KETCHANKE G. VERLAINE 20.04.1988 FRA 74.66 103 134 237 snatch, a bronze in clean and jerk and again 4 FUENTES ZAVALA AREMI 23.05.1993 MEX 74.77 105 131 236

winning silver in total for her result 18kg apart 5 ARTHUR JENNY LYVETTE 11.12.1993 USA 74.87 104 130 234 Ifrom VALENTIN’s. The French could celebrate here 6 YAO CHI-LING 31.03.1993 TPE 74.35 100 128 228 again: NAYO KETCHANKE Gaelle Verlaine (29) won two medals: silver in clean and jerk and bronze overall. 7 BEAUCHEMIN-N. MARIE-EVE 13.10.1988 CAN 74.66 99 128 227 Ephemeral was the joy of 20-year old Mongolian and 8 NGARLEM KRISTEL 20.07.1995 CAN 73.87 99 128 227 Asian champion MUNKHJANTSAN Ankhtsetseg, who 9 GARZA GARZA ALEJANDRA 01.08.1991 MEX 74.56 100 123 223

captured a snatch bronze but then had to abandon the 10 OTAKUZIYEVA OMADOY 04.04.1996 UZB 74.38 95 127 222 stage due to an injury.

Medals in 75kg – with IWF President Dr. Tamás Aján and USAW CEO Phil Andrews

VALENTIN PEREZ Lidia, ESP NAYO KETCHANKE Gaelle Verlaine, FRA

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 39 › INTERVIEW

LIDIA VALENTIN PEREZ

WW: What did the Anaheim World Championships mean for time for leisure. However, it is true when I finish the compe- you? What did you expect from yourself in terms of placing titions I like spending time with my family, with my friends, or kilograms, and are you satisfied? disconnect and go to vacations and do different things. LVP: The World Championships was one of the best times WW: Did you of my life. The preparation was very good since we came receive any award there after two weeks of training camp in Las Vegas, and or recognition for this helped me a lot. I couldn’t wait to compete and I was your success from acclimatized to the time difference. Actually, I did not have your Government? any specific expectations but I went to do what I always do, LVP: Yes, the that is focus on the competition, concentrate maximally and truth is that I have give everything. I knew it was a great World Championships received lots of rec- for me because I could win, but I did not think of winning the ognition at national gold; instead, I just wanted to enjoy it and give 100%. Yes, of level and I am very course, I am very satisfied with the result because I became happy about them. I World Champion for the first time and I had been competing have been granted for many years, and it was like getting my big dream come awards and on true. 19th February I am WW: Did you miss the rivals from the countries not attend- about to get the Na- ing? Or would it have been better if all the strong rivals had tional Sport Award been there? “Queen Letizia” (the LVP: I didn’t miss the countries not competing, since those highest award for countries have been sanctioned and for me they do not rep- a Spanish athlete). resent the values of sport because I consider that sport has Furthermore I have also had to be clean, it cannot be done in a way that is not legal. I even tributes at local and provincial think that instead of only one year they should be banned for level (Camponaray in Castilla y life because, as I said, that is not sport. I did not miss them at León) and that makes my success all! And if they don’t come back, better. at the World Championships even more valuable. WW: What are your expectations from 2018 as a weightlifter and “BEING WORLD CHAMPION as a private person? What would make you most happy? GIVES ME MORE STRENGTH” LVP: For this year 2018, my expectations are to continue enjoying, continue being moti- vated by what I am doing. The immediate first task ahead is WW: What happened after the World Championships? Did to defend my position at the you get a celebration? Did you rest, or have fun? European later at the World LVP: Immediately after my competition, still in Anaheim, I Championships. I am working went out to finally eat some decent dinner - out of the diet I on as until now; alas, this is usually follow preparing for each championship. I was really now the last phase in the cycle longing to return to Spain when the World Championships reaching until Tokyo 2020. were finished to celebrate with my family and my friends. WW: Who did you vote for as Lifter of the Year 2017 - man Right now I am living very well because finally I am World and woman? Champion, and it helps me, gives me more strength and LVP: For me the best weightlifter of 2017 in the men could energy to continue training in this Olympic Cycle until Tokyo be any of those proposed, but perhaps the Georgian Lasha 2020. Outside the gym, when I am facing any competition, I Talakhadze was the best, because he has broken three world pay all my attention day to day to the correct routine of rest- records and was really terrific. As far as the women are con- ing and living a healthy life, and I do not allow myself much cerned, I would stay by myself (laughs of complicity).

40 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING › INTERVIEW

SELEDINA NIEVE

“THIS TRIUMPH IS NOT ONLY MINE”

WW: Did you receive any award or recognition for your success from your Government? SN: Apart from the appreciation of the people, I didn’t receive any official remuneration. WW: What are your expectations from 2018 as a weightlifter and as a private person? What would make you most happy? SN: My goals are clear: I work very hard with the support of many people. I always think big and I’m convinced that I have a purpose in life.

WW: What did the Anaheim World Championships mean for you? What did you expect from yourself in terms of placing or kilograms, and are you satisfied? SN: I still cannot get over my astonishment. This was very important in my career, something big that I didn’t expect. I have always been seeking a medal in World Championships and kept training for it but now it’s reality! Nevertheless, I don’t think it’s just mine, I feel it’s the triumph of my family, coaches, leaders – my country, Ecuador. WW: Did you miss the rivals from the countries not attending? Or would it have been better if all the strong rivals had been there? SN: Of course it would have been good to compete with all of them, but everyone must respect the rules of Fair Play. It was however an opportunity to show that we still have a space on the world stage of weightlifting. WW: What happened after the World Championships? Did you get a celebration? Did you rest, or have fun? SN: After the competition I took some time to thank for everything that I received from God. I feel blessed for being able to medal in the World Championships a few days after my 40th birthday! Besides celebrating with my family, I have been devot- ing more time to my office work as a coordinator ofZona 1 of the Ministry of Sport. After the working hours I am hundred per cent for my family.

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 41 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

90KG – BRONZE AT 40 – GEORGIA SCORES FIRST MEDAL

he women’s 90kg was predestined to produce novelty, having been con- tested for the first time ever at senior world championships level. The debut was sheer success, whereby the epic Tfirst champion title went to 21-year old HOTFRID Anastasiia, at the same time the first Georgian woman in history to win a weightlifting medal. HOTFRID, in fact, had not been unknown in the weightlifting events: she had collected three gold medals at the U23 2017 European Champion- ships and, still earlier, she was 2016 junior Eu- ropean champion in the +75kg, as well as 12th at the Rio Olympic Games. In Anaheim she opened by taking the first title in snatch with 120kg – at 7 kilos on Dominican SANTANA PEGUERO Crismery Dominga, and 8 kilos on NIEVE Seledina from Ecuador. Just for reference, the latter lady celebrated her 40th birthday a few days prior to her competition on 25th November! What a beautiful birthday present, this bronze medal for her 112kg! Only fourth in the first part, VALDES PARIS Maria Fernanda from Chile got wings in the clean and jerk and flew up until the top of the podium with her 146kg, ahead of HOTFRID (145kg) and SANTANA (141kg). She could not, however, take the total gold from HOTFRID, who closed with 265kg, leaving VALDES in second, SANTANA in third positions.

1 HOTFRID ANASTASIIA 25.04.1996 GEO 88.46 120 145 265

2 VALDES PARIS M. FERNANDA 17.03.1992 CHI 89.69 109 146 255

3 SANTANA PEGUERO C. DOMINGA 20.04.1995 DOM 85.88 113 141 254 4 NIEVE ARROYO OLIBA SELEDINA 25.11.1977 ECU 89.32 112 134 246

5 KLINGSEIS MARISSA EILEEN 07.06.1995 USA 89.44 105 134 239

6 SALAZAR ARCE T. YAJAIRA 09.08.1997 ECU 28734 101 133 234

7 LUDWIG A. ANNABELLA 22.05.1992 USA 89.20 103 128 231

8 LO YING-YUAN 07.05.1996 TPE 87.34 100 129 229

9 ILMARINEN MERI TUULI LINNEA 04.06.1991 FIN 77.14 102 124 226 HOTFRID Anastasiia, GEO 10 VANBELLINGHEN ANNA MARIE-J A M 10.03.1994 BEL 84.30 101 121 222

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VALDES PARIS Maria Fernanda, CHI NIEVE Seledina, ECU – WWC medal at 40 years

The 90kg medal podium

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 43 › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

+90KG – ROBLES ENGILDED THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR AMERICA

here is no denying that Anaheim had a shin- nor did the 122 or the 126kg. HUBBARD Laurel (39), ing golden finish – to the big happiness of New Zealand’s transgender athlete generating no the hosts. With ROBLES Sarah Elizabeth little argument, who had previously competed as Gavin they celebrated a US winner in the other new Hubbard and changed gender four years ago to lift category for women, the +90kg. In the con- among the women, became the runner up with 124kg Ttest of the heaviest and strongest the home favourite and the bronze was taken by Mexican MASCORRO took it all. All the gold medals, we mean. She started OSUNA Tania Guadalupe. by sweeping the snatch: 118kg presented no challenge,

ROBLES Sarah Elizabeth, USA HUBBARD Laurel, NZL

44 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING › 2017 IWF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS, ANAHEIM

o no little surprise, PULSABSAKUL Chitchanok, 1 ROBLES SARAH ELIZABETH 01.08.1988 USA 145.69 126 158 284 Thailand’s WC third favourite missed her three 2 HUBBARD LAUREL 09.02.1978 NZL 135.63 124 151 275 attempts and did not score. In turn, Rio Olympic third ROBLES proved to be unstoppable and 3 HARIDY SHAIMAA A. KHALAF 01.01.1991 EGY 124.67 115 153 268 pinned three good lifts more (150-154- 158) 4 CHAIDEE DUANGAKSORN 11.08.1997 THA 111.30 115 152 267 Tsweeping the field clean. In second place we find Egyp- 5 MASCORRO O. T. GUADALUPE 24.11.1988 MEX 107.24 119 142 261 tian HARIDY Shaimaa Ahmed Khalaf (153kg), followed by 6 AYOVI CABEZAS L. BETZAIDA 07.08.1998 ECU 122.65 111 140 251 another Thai entry, CHAIDEE Duangaksorn (152kg). 7 MIERZEJEWSKA A. EMILIA 05.03.1992 POL 141.55 102 130 232 HUBBARD was fourth here but together with her snatch 8 MAGAT KRISZTINA 02.03.1989 HUN 107.39 100 128 228 result she took the total silver. HARIDY retained the bronze for Africa. ROBLES made an entry in the US weightlifting statistics by reaping gold for women again since 2005, while HUBBARD won New Zealand’s first ever world championships medals.

HARIDY Shaimaa Ahmed Khalaf, EGY CHAIDEE Duangaksorn, THA

WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 45 › INTERVIEW

SARAH ELIZABETH ROBLES

WW: What did the Anaheim World Championships mean for you? What did you expect from yourself in terms of placing or kilograms, and are you satisfied? SR: I viewed this World Championships as a great opportunity. If a great opportunity is put in front of me, I like to take it. I expected to put in at least a performance like I did at the Olympics. I knew a 280+ total would put me in medal contention. I came into the competition in good shape, health and spirits; I had no real reason to doubt my performance. I would say that yes, I am satisfied with my performance. I successfully made my lifts and won the competition. Even if my lifts were higher, I’d have the same results, so I’m perfectly happy with the outcome. WW: Did you miss the rivals from the countries not attending? Or would it have been better if all the strong rivals had been there? SR: Whoever gets the privilege of competing at the World Championships is what you get. I appreciated all of my competitors that showed up and lifted their hardest. If more teams came, I would have lifted just as hard and had been “COMPETING AT THE thankful for my result but, that’s not the way things played out. I’m thankful for the involvement of the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IWF and WADA with anti-doping and wish the best for my competitors to return in good shape for future competitions. IS A PRIVILEGE” WW: What happened after the World Championships? Did you get a celebration? Did you rest, or have fun? SR: Immediately after, my close friends and family went to celebrate by eating In-n- out burger then I returned to join the rest of the delegations at the closing ceremonies. For the rest of December, I trained lightly and enjoyed the winter holidays with my family. WW: Did you receive any award or recognition for your success from your Government? SR: I was awarded Athlete of the Month for December for Team USA and I received a certificate of recognition from the City of Friendswood, Texas, USA where I currently live. If it’s not rude to discuss money, I did receive a handsome bonus from my Federation which I’m very thankful for. WW: What are your expectations from 2018 as a weightlifter and as a private person? What would make you most happy? SR: My goal is to contribute well to Team USA, continue to improve on my total, and learn what I need to in order to prepare me for hopefully, my third Olympic Games in Tokyo. WW: Who did you vote for as Lifter of the Year 2017 - man and woman? SR: I’m usually never in contention for these types of awards and I was so excited to be nominated, I voted for myself. I can’t quite remember who was in contention for the men but, if Lasha was in the running, I definitely would have voted for him.

46 / WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING / 47 › ANAHEIM MOMENTS

PHOTO: JÓZSEF SZAKA

Technical Officials

ANAHEIM MOMENTS

Mr. Disc Head

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Technical Officials Weightlifting

The real powerWORLD WEIGHTLIFTING of athletes / 49 RAISING THE BAR FOR 60 YEARS

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