The best Junior World Championships ever in Penang
The 2011 Junior Weightlifting Championships held in Penang, Malaysia welcomed 272 participating lifters. The athletes rewarded the outstanding organization with outstanding performances during the long stretch of 8 days competition.
At the Closing Ceremony Lydia Ong Kok Fooi, Penang’s Minister of Youth and Sport emphasized the beneficial experience of this international competition that fostered friendship and brotherhood among athletes and officials.
Dato’ Ong Poh Eng, IWF Executive Board Member and Chairman of the Organizing Committee underlined peace and friendship among participating countries and said that – “No record is unbreakable. I hope everyone will continue to excel by outdoing the others with the prevailing true friendship transcending borders in a true spirit of fellowship upheld by the International Weightlifting Federation”
The ELEIKO-IWF Press Commission’s Trophy of “Best Lifter” for Men went to ROSTAMI Kianoush (IRI) who won a Silver Medal in the Snatch and 2 Gold Medals for the Clean & Jerk and the Total in the 85kg bodyweight category. The “Best Women” Trophy was awarded to DENG Wei (CHN) who set a new Junior World Record with a Total of 243kg and stood on the top of the podium to take over 3 Gold Medals in the 58kg bodyweight category.
The 15 year old Kazakh lifter NOGAY Nadezhda set a new Youth World Record in the Snatch with 122kg.
New Youth World Records among Men were set by THACH KIM Tuan (VIE) in the Clean & Jerk with 153kg and in the Total with 273kg.
According to the Team classification, the first 3 best performing Men and Women Team stood on stage during the Closing Ceremony to receive a special award. Within the 152 participating Men lifters out of 47 countries, the Iranian Team finished as first. The ranking follows as China and Russia.
Among the 120 participating Women out of 32 countries: Thailand, Russia and China got awarded within Team classification.
The previous participation record of 104 women athlete in 1998 Sofia, Bulgaria was broken here with 120 women weightlifters participating.
It is important to note, that the IWF Technical Committee made a historical decision in Penang, Malaysia regarding the weightlifting clothing.
For more details please check the RESULT BOOK
Under the leadership of Chairmen Dato’ Ong Poh Eng and Competition Director Paul Coffa, the 2011 Junior World Championships have been of the highest standard. The 5 star accommodation, the food, the transport, the training and the competition facilities have all been carefully prepared in order to give the athletes the best possible opportunity to perform at their best. The warm hospitality of Malaysian people was appreciated by all participants and guests.
“Dato’ Ong Poh Eng, with his clear and honest approach; his waste experience and his organizational skills is a most reliable pillar and a great asset to World and to Asian Weightlifting. Penang being the main center for weightlifting proved several times its capabilities to deliver a prestigious event and I am happy to state that the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation and the Organizing Committee excelled once again and delivered the best Junior World Championships ever” said Dr. Tamás Aján.
