Jiangshan, China—The Asian Weightlifting Championships delivered jaw-dropping performances this week as athletes from the Chinese mainland and across Asia redefined excellence on the platform. Rising stars Yang Qiuxia and Liao Guifang etched their names into history with unprecedented lifts, showcasing a blend of grit and precision that captivated audiences.
Women’s 71kg: A Snatch Showdown
In a thrilling women’s 71kg snatch duel, Yang Qiuxia clinched victory by overcoming the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s Song Kuk Hyang. After Song failed her initial 115kg attempt, Yang seized momentum with a clean 120kg lift. Undeterred, Song matched the world record at 121kg, only for Yang to shatter it seconds later with a 122kg hoist—confirmed after an agonizing 10-minute review. Song reclaimed glory in the clean & jerk, however, vaulting to 155kg to break two world records and secure gold in the category and overall.
Liao Guifang’s Triple Gold Triumph
The women’s 76kg division saw world champion Liao Guifang deliver a masterclass. She dominated the snatch with a world-record 125kg lift before smashing the total world record (279kg) via a 154kg clean & jerk. Despite narrowly missing a 157kg final attempt, Liao collected gold in all three categories—cementing her status as the division’s unrivaled force.
Wu Yan Seizes Control in 81kg
China’s Wu Yan left no doubt in the 81kg class, securing snatch gold with 116kg and outpacing rivals by a staggering 11kg. A flawless clean & jerk series—topping at 147kg—sealed her triple-title campaign, further underscoring Chinese weightlifting’s depth.
The championships concluded with resounding applause for athletes whose feats pushed human potential to new heights, offering a glimpse into Asia’s enduring dominance in the sport.
