Happy Birthday Eko Yuli!
Eko Yuli Irawan was born 29 years ago in Lampung, Indonesia and grew to be one of the greatest weightlifters of his country.
He made his first international debut at the 2006 Junior World Championships in the 56kg bodyweight category, where he won the Silver Medal. One year later, he became Junior World Champion for the first time and ranked third at the Senior World Championships.
In 2009 he decided to move up to the 62kg bodyweight category, where he continued to excel. This year he won the Junior World Championships in the new category too and took the Silver Medal on the Senior World Championships, with a Total of 315kg, which was an 18kg improvement compared to his previous personal best.
Eko got Medals at three consecutive Olympic Games. First in Beijing in 2008 where he decided to drop down to the 56kg bodyweight category again and got a Bronze Medal. Afterwards, he continued to compete in the 62kg bodyweight category.
At the 2012 London Olympic Games, he set a new personal record with a Total of 317kg, which was once again enough for the Bronze Medal.
Four years later, he won a Silver Medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
He holds two Universiade records since 2011, 140kg Snatch and 310kg Total.
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