During the opening day of the 2024 IWF World Championships in Bahrain, Chinese and Thai athletes achieved outstanding results, with Zhao Jinhong setting two world records. Brazilian standout Thiago Felix earned historic silver, making it Brazil’s first senior medal. The event revealed the competitive strength of Asian athletes and highlighted necessary adaptations in weightlifting categories.
On Day 1 of the 2024 IWF World Championships in Bahrain, Asian athletes dominated, securing five of the six podium spots. China and Thailand each celebrated victories, while Brazilian weightlifter Thiago Felix earned a historic silver medal at 55kg, marking Brazil’s first senior World Championships medal in the sport. Felix led initially but was overtaken by Thailand’s Natthawat Chomchuen, who significantly improved his total from the previous year. Meanwhile, Zhao Jinhong from China made history in the women’s 45kg category, claiming gold medals and setting two world records during her event. Despite the category being discontinued next year, Zhao showcased her potential by lifting a total of 200kg.
In the men’s competition, Felix made all six attempts successfully, achieving a total of 269kg, just 2kg shy of his personal best set in a higher weight class. His coach Dragos Doru Stanica praised his athlete’s performance amidst tough competition, indicating a strategic shift in Felix’s weight class that proved advantageous. China also celebrated success in the women’s 45kg category, where Zhao eclipsed the previous records with a total lift of 200kg, indicating strong national performances in this traditionally underrepresented weight class. Notably, Zhao’s achievement comes after a long absence of Chinese competitors in this category since its last entry in 2015.
As the event unfolded, athletes like Cicely Kyle from the United States demonstrated exceptional capabilities at an older age, competing as the oldest participant at 40. Her background in gymnastics and critical care medicine has contributed positively to her weightlifting prowess, despite enduring injuries over time. Overall, the inaugural day showcased a blend of emerging talent and established excellence within the realm of international weightlifting, with significant implications for the forthcoming competitions.
The 2024 IWF World Championships serve as a crucial platform for weightlifters to showcase their talents and improve their rankings, especially in preparation for future Olympic events. This year’s championships in Bahrain are particularly exciting, as they have attracted athletes from various countries, notably from Asia, where weightlifting is highly competitive. The event also marks a transition period in weight classes with upcoming changes that will lead to fewer categories, emphasizing the importance for athletes to adapt and excel within the new classifications.
The first day of the 2024 IWF World Championships highlighted remarkable performances from Asian competitors, particularly China’s Zhao Jinhong and Thailand’s Natthawat Chomchuen. Thiago Felix of Brazil made history with his silver medal, demonstrating the growth of Brazilian weightlifting on an international stage. The day not only showcased personal bests and world records but also highlighted the evolving landscape of weightlifting with changes in weight classes, impacting strategy and training for future events.
Original Source: beta.iwf.sport
