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Bariloche, Final Day: US team gets three continental titles

USA and Ecuador shared the medals at stake in the sixth and last day of the Pan-American Championships, organised in Bariloche (ARG). In the four last finals of the event, the new continental champions were Dayana Mina Torres (ECU) in the women’s 87kg, and then US Mary Theisen-Lappen in the women’s +87kg, Wesley Kitts in the men’s 109kg and Alejandro Medina in the men +109kg. Torres’ win was clear, after a 100kg snatch and a 133kg clean and jerk, for a total of 233kg. The silver linings also went to the same athlete, Mexico’s Laura Jimenez Cazares, with 97-121-218. The bronze was reserved for Cecilia Rodriguez, from Uruguay, also consistent with 92-105-197kg. In the heaviest women’s category, it was a thrilling fight between two North Americans. Theisen-Lappen was the best in C&J (158kg, for a winning total of 272kg), but had to content with silver in the snatch (114kg), behind her teammate Sarah Robles (120kg, plus bronze in C&J in 151kg, and silver in total with 271kg). The remaining medals went to Nayuri Perez Reveron (VEN, third in the snatch, 111kg, and also overall bronze in 256kg), and to Lisseth Ayovi Cabezas (ECU, silver in the C&J in 153kg). Among men, Kitts’s victory was also not easy, after a winning snatch at 165kg, the second-best attempt in C&J (200kg), and a victorious total in 365kg. His main opponent was Mexico’s Josue Medina Andueza, winner in the clean and jerk (201kg), second in the snatch (162kg) and silver also in the overall count (363kg). The bronze medals were earned by Hernan Vera Espinoza (PER) in the C&J (195kg) and total (337kg), while Dayan Aguirre Reyes (MEX) completed the podium in the snatch (146kg). In the men’s +109kg, Medina won with 385kg, but let the gold in the snatch go to Dixon Arroyo Valdez (MEX, 174kg) and to the other US representative, Caine Wilkes, in the C&J (212kg). Medina was second in both events, with respectively 173kg and 212kg. Wilkes was bronze medallist in the snatch (172kg), Valdez was third in total (374kg), and Gilbert Lemus Calanche (GUA) got the last medal in the C&J, lifting 200kg. Read more: Bariloche, Day 5: US men control operations in Argentina – International Weightlifting Federation (iwf.sport)   Bariloche, Day 4: Favourites confirm credentials in Argentina – International Weightlifting Federation (iwf.sport)   Bariloche, Day 3: Local fans celebrate Ullua’s gold; double win for Venezuela – International Weightlifting Federation (iwf.sport)   Bariloche, Day 2: Clear victories for Charron (CAN), Contreras (PER) and Morales (NCA) – International Weightlifting Federation (iwf.sport)   Bariloche, Day 1: USA, Mexico and Venezuela start with gold – International Weightlifting Federation

In the footsteps of great Lasha

He was the last winner of the 2023 IWF World Youth Championships in Durres (ALB) and he earned gold in a very convincing way in the men’s +102kg category. Irakli Vekua, from Georgia, completed 16 years old on February 3 but has clear ideas about his future in weightlifting. For the time being, he was clearly above the rest of the field, having lifted 141kg in the snatch and a massive 179kg in the clean & jerk, for a total of 320kg – the silver medallist, Armenia’s Gagik Mkrtchyan could not do better than 313kg.   With a start in the sport at the age of eight, weightlifting is a family affair for the Vekua clan. Vekua's father is a coach, and older brother Gerami – three years older – was the 2021 European Youth champion in the 96kg and runner-up at the IWF World Youth in the same year and category. “They were the ones responsible for me being here today, celebrating these successes. Thanks to them, I could discover the beauty of weightlifting, and also because of them I could properly develop in the sport,” confesses Irakli.   In reality, the first promising results came at 12-13 at the national level. “It was obvious that I had to follow the family’s path. The three medals I got here in Durres [winner of the C&J and overall, and second in the snatch] were on our plans. Everything went as we wanted,” continues the new youth world champion, who established a personal best at this event.   Moreover, Irakli considers that the load of work put into training has paid off so far in his short international career. “I have nine training sessions per week – some days, I train a double session and others just once a day. I just have a day-off”. However, he also manages to conciliate his preparation with his studies. “Yes, I am of course studying and I pretend to follow a university degree. I just don’t know what… I love to dance, but that’s not to be learned at the university,” he laughs.   After shining in Albania, the Georgian talent will take part in the Nationals in his country and then at the Youth Europeans. “The results I achieved here are of course a great motivation to do even better in the next events,” he confidently admits.   When asked about his idol in the sport, Irakli’s face gets even happier. “Lasha [Talakhadze], of course. He is our hero in Georgia and everyone admires him. I want to beat his records,” he says, obviously laughing. The Georgian phenomenon, world record holder in the +109kg (225kg in the snatch and 267kg in the C&J), is considered the best weightlifter in activity and is of course a reference not only for his compatriots but for many other lifters around the world. “What he has done is fantastic!”   Reflecting on the overall results of Georgia in these Championships, Irakli is clear: “12 medals is a great achievement. We knew we had a strong team and we proved it here”. With four gold and eight silver medals, the Georgian delegation finished in the sixth overall position of the medal chart, which comprises 30 nations having their best representatives on the podium. By Pedro Adrega, IWF

Durres, Final Day: Egg producer helps Etta to put Canada on the podium again

For the third time in eight days a young Canadian was on the podium at the IWF World Youth Championships – a remarkable achievement for a nation that has never yet staged a national youth championship and never entered a youth athlete in an international competition until 2021. Turkey and Georgia had the last two winners of the Championships in Durres, Albania and Turkey finished top of the medals table. Etta Love’s second-place finish in the women’s +81kg took her nation up to eighth place in the final table. Last weekend Ivy Buzinhani Brustello became weightlifting’s youngest ever world champion when she won at 40kg and two days later her Montreal training partner and friend Emily Ibanez Guerrero finished third at 55kg to become the sport’s youngest ever international medallist at 12 years 3 months. Everybody has been talking about Canada here throughout the week. Mohammed Jalood, president of the IWF, said, “I’m surprised to see that Canada is one of the strongest teams here. For me, their performance has been special.” Rachel Leblanc-Bazinet, a Tokyo Olympian who managed the team in Durres, said, “We don’t have a lot of funding in Canada. Our old board didn’t really believe in sending youth teams. Now we are getting on the podium, making progress, maybe we will get more funding. “We thought we could win some medals but three golds for Ivy was a big surprise. The kids competed really well in their first time on the big stage.” Love, 15, had backing from an unusual source for the journey from her home in Saskatoon, about 3,000km away from Montreal and 8,400km from Durres. Her parents wrote to local companies and Saskatchewan Egg Producers said yes, we will sponsor you. “It makes sense because Etta does eat a lot of eggs!” said her mum Emma. She rewarded their support by making 95-130-225 for snatch bronze, clean and jerk gold and silver on total behind Tuana Suren (TUR) on 104-126-230. Thi Hien Tran (VIE) was third on 96-124-220. The Loves still had to spend several thousand dollars – as did the other Canadian team members - because Etta’s brothers Myles, five, and 10-year-old Tom came along to give  Emma their support. Love, who started weightlifting aged 10, is coached from afar by Aimee Everett, the American who coaches Mattie Rogers. “Touching the bar makes me feel alive. It was the place that made my mind most free when I started and it’s still the same now,” she said. In the men’s +102kg Irakli Vekua (GEO) made six from six to win on 141-179-320. Gagik Mkrtchyan (ARM) was second on 139-174-313 and Wang Yu Cheng (TPE) third on 138-172-310. The result made the numbers posted at 102kg on Friday by Nikita Abdrakhmanov (KAZ) all the more impressive. His total was 49kg higher than the super-heavyweight winner’s. By Brian Oliver, Inside the

Bariloche, Day 5: US men control operations in Argentina

Athletes from the United States won two out of three events at stake in the fifth day of the Pan-American Championships, currently being held in Bariloche (ARG). In the men’s field, Nathan Damron was the best in the 96kg category (with a total of 340kg), while his teammate Ryan Sester is also continental champion in the 102kg (372kg). Among women, the victory of the day went to Neisi Dajomes Barrera (ECU) in the 81kg, with a total of 256kg. Damron was first in the snatch (150kg), but had to content with silver in the clean and jerk (190kg), behind Jose Lopez Carrizo, from Mexico, also with 190kg. His teammate Jonathan Ramos Chaires was the overall silver medallist (337kg), after third-best performances in the snatch (147kg) and C&J (190kg). Finally, the remaining two medals in the event went to Wilmer Contreras Chamorro (ECU), second in snatch (148kg) and winner of the bronze in the total count (334kg). In the heavier men’s category, Sester was also first in the C&J (207kg), but was slightly worse (165kg) than Marco Gregorio Machado (BRA, 166kg) in the snatch. Machado was second both in C&J (194kg) and total (360kg). The bronze medals went to Luis Lamenza Lopez (PUR) in snatch (161kg) and total (348kg), and to Jhohan Sanguino Matamoros (VEN) in the C&J (189kg). Concerning Barrera, her overall title was the result of the best lift in the snatch (115kg) and the second best in the C&J (141kg), behind her teammate Tamara Salazar Arce (143kg). Ayamey Medina Roca (CUB) was also one of the protagonists in this event, with silver in snatch (113kg) and total (254kg), and a bronze in C&J (141kg). Arce was third in the snatch (110kg) and total (253kg).   Read more:Bariloche, Day 4: Favourites confirm credentials in Argentina – International Weightlifting Federation (iwf.sport) Bariloche, Day 3: Local fans celebrate Ullua’s gold; double win for Venezuela – International Weightlifting Federation (iwf.sport)   Bariloche, Day 2: Clear victories for Charron (CAN), Contreras (PER) and Morales (NCA) – International Weightlifting Federation (iwf.sport)   Bariloche, Day 1: USA, Mexico and Venezuela start with gold – International Weightlifting Federation

Jet lag, some solitude, but still a medal!

After the successful organisation of the 2022 edition of the IWF World Youth Championships in Leon, it was expectable that Mexico could send a multi-athlete delegation to this year’s event, taking place in Durres (ALB). In the end, one single competitor was entered, Cristian Jesus Grijalva Bojorquez. He was in action today, competing in the men’s 102kg category. And despite this solitary presence, Cristian’s performance was fruitful, getting one bronze medal in the snatch, with a lift of 137kg. At home, less than one year ago, he was also third (but with 133kg), doing 161kg (fourth in C&J) and 294 (also fourth) in total. In Albania, he was slightly worse in the two-movement attempt (160kg) and finished with 297kg, also the first lifter outside the podium area. “Honestly, I had hopes I could have three medals, but the bronze came in snatch and I am of course happy with it. But I feel I could have done more. I arrived three days ago and I still feel jet-lagged. Tonight, I haven’t slept enough, so I believe all counted for this disappointing result for me,” confesses the 16-year-old talent, with his bronze medal around his neck. With a personal best of 140-168-308 (which would have given him a silver overall in Durres), the Mexican says that being alone and so far from home was a challenging element. “Of course, I came with my coach, but it’s true it was a bit difficult to keep focused these days. Fortunately, I was able to be constantly in contact with my friends and family in Mexico. I could relax a bit and take the pressure off my shoulders. Also, my coach gave me a lot of confidence”. Despite his relative deception, Cristian speaks with passion about the sport he chose at 10 years old, thanks to the influence of an uncle – a weightlifting coach. “Before that, I tried many sports and had many coaches, but when weightlifting came into my life, I simply loved it! To have that adrenaline which allows you to lift all this weight, and then more and more, I love that! Being able to also represent your country thanks to this sport, it’s quite encouraging for me,” he confesses. “Some years later, at around 13, when I started to train harder, and when the first results appeared, I understood that perhaps this was my future,” Cristian adds. After an appearance in the upcoming Nationals, he hopes to represent his country, in November, at the IWF World Junior Championships. “If everything goes according to the plans, I will be able to be in Guadalajara, Mexico. It would be a great joy for me to compete for my country again at home!” Celebrating his 17th anniversary next June 15, Cristian aims at an “Olympic medal in the future”. In the meantime, and between competitions, he normally trains twice a day, while on event mode, he switches to one daily session. With one year to go until entering university, the Mexican star is still undecided on what to choose, but believes it will be something “related to Administration”. On his stay in Albania, Cristian admits that “everyone is very nice, attentive to our needs, and always available to help. It has been a great experience. Also, having the hotel next to the beach is quite pleasant!” Mexico’s sole medal on this penultimate day of the event in Durres – together with the overall bronze of Poland in the same event – enlarged the number of nations in the medal chart to 30, largely more than half of the countries’ total (57) in this edition of the IWF World Youth Championships.    By Pedro Adrega, IWF

Durres, Day 7: Kazakhstan teenager wins world title by 64kg and says “I can do better”

A 16-year-old weightlifter from Kazakhstan marked himself out as one to watch in the sport  when he won a youth world title by a massive margin and said, “I can do better than that.” Nikita Abdrakhmanov was 27kg clear of his nearest rival after the snatch and 64kg clear on total in the men’s 102kg at the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) World Youth Championships in Durres, Albania. In the other medal event of the day, the women’s 81kg, Shams Mohamed Ahmed (EGY) set a world record on total when she made 103-129-232. Ahmed and second-placed Mariam Murgvliani (GEO) both made six from six and third-placed Emma Poghosyan (ARM) failed only with her final attempt. Murgvliani made 102-127-229 and Poghosyan 98-123-221. “I am very happy with my performance,” said Ahmed, whose father was a weightlifter, before being interrupted by a call from her sports ministry. Her next competition is likely to be the Arab Championships in her homeland in four months’ time. Abdrakhmanov’s sweep of golds took Kazakhstan to the top of the medals table – which features 30 of the 57 nations competing here - with one day to go. Poland and Mexico were the latest medal winners. When he watched a master class display of weightlifting in his home city of Shakhtinsk eight years ago Abdrakhmanov was captivated. He asked his mother to take him to a club and soon knew that he had found not only his sport but his future career. “This is all I want to do, I love it,” he said. “Weightlifting is the best!” Asked who his favourite lifters were, Abdrakhmanov said, “Nobody really – I just focus on myself.” His 164-205-369 earned a second straight youth world title for Abdrakhmanov, who made 348kg last year and celebrated with a big meal - because he had been so nervous in the days before competing he lost his appetite. There was no sign of nerves in Durres as he made six from six in a performance worth 407 Sinclair points, the highest score of the week in the across-the-weights rating system. His total would place him 17th in the Olympic rankings, where Artyom Antropov is the best  Kazakhstan lifter at 102kg category, in seventh place with a 385kg total. “I can lift that much in training,” said Abdrakhmanov. Unlike the highest points scorer in the women’s events, Thanaporn Saetia (THA), Abdrakhmanov will not be heading to the senior Asian Championships next month. His next target is likely to be the Asian Youth and Junior Championships in Delhi in late July. Saba Adamia (GEO) had a sweep of silvers on 137-168-305, and Marcin Ziolkowski (POL) was third on total with 136-166-302. There was a snatch bronze for Cristian Grijalva (MEX) on 137kg and a clean and jerk bronze for So Ijun (KOR) on 167kg. By Brian Oliver, Inside the